Serena Williams feels Dinara Safina will emerge stronger after beating her to win the Australian Open women's title.

Williams took less than an hour to wrap up her 10th grand slam title, and fourth Australian Open, and in so doing move back to the top of the women's rankings.

It was an impressive display that left Safina still seeking her first major title after she also finished runner-up at last year's French Open.

"Dinara is going to have a great future," Williams said after the match.

"She is hitting so hard I had at the moment that I had to go for broke against her today. That's all I could do."

Safina was left slightly embarrassed by her display, apologising to the crowd at Melbourne Park for the brevity of the final.

"I don't have much to say. I didn't even spend one hour on the court," she said.

"I want to congratulate Serena, she was too good today. I was just a ballboy on the court today.

"I'm sorry it (the final) was not longer. I hope that next year I will come and hopefully do better."