Serena Williams Wins Gold

Serena Williams became only the second woman to complete a career Golden Slam when she won her first singles gold medal today, 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 her six matches. She went 13-0 this summer at the All England Club, where she won her fifth Wimbledon title a month ago.

The career Golden Slam was first achieved by Steffi Graf, who did it when she won the Olympics in 1988 after winning all four major titles. 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 sister Venus are pursuing their third gold in doubles and were to play in the semifinals later today. (More 2012 London Olympics stories.)