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WIMBLEDON, England >> When Serena Williams completed her career Golden Slam by winning an Olympic rout, she began the celebration with a long scream. She hopped a dozen times on the grass she loves, waved to the cheering crowd and hopped some more.
Williams was still jumping about as she put on her Team USA jacket for the medal ceremony. Then she began to dance.
These days, no one can match her moves.
Williams became only the second woman to achieve a Golden Slam, winning the most lopsided women’s final in Olympic history Saturday by beating Maria Sharapova 6-0, 6-1.
The victory completed a remarkable run of domination by the No. 4-seeded Williams, who lost only 17 games in six matches en route to her first singles gold medal. She went 13-0 this summer at the All England Club, where she won her fifth Wimbledon title a month ago.
It took the No. 3-seeded Sharapova 45 minutes to win a game, and by then she trailed 6-0, 3-0. Williams dominated with her serve and repeatedly blasted winners from the baseline, taking a big swing with almost every stroke despite gusty conditions on Centre Court.
The wind was so strong it blew the U.S. flag off its pole during the medal ceremony. Old Glory came to rest in front of the Royal Box.
“It was probably flying to come hug me because the flag was so happy,” Williams said.
Williams can add the gold medal to her 14 Grand Slam singles championships, the most of any active woman.
And she’s not done in London. Williams and her sister Venus, pursuing their third gold in doubles, were scheduled to play in the semifinals later today.
