Clijsters starts off with win, Murray hires Lendl
Source: Agencies |
January 2, 2012, Monday
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KIM Clijsters began preparation for the defense of her Australian Open singles title with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Romania's Simona Halep in the first round of the Brisbane International yesterday.
"I felt that I was playing aggressively and moving well, so I was pretty satisfied," Clijsters said.
She also said the abdominal problem that forced her to retire from a number of tournaments, including the US Open, in 2011 had left no lingering problems with her serving action. "I felt confident with my serve. I think that's something that, in the past, wasn't always the case," she said.
In another match yesterday, 2010 French Open champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy advanced to the second round when her opponent, Ksenia Pervak of Russia, retired with a headache at 4-4 in the opening set.
In men's play, James Duckworth of Australia beat Nicolas Mahut of France 6-4, 6-4. Top-seeded Andy Murray combined with former Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis to beat Santiago Giraldo of Colombia and Kei Nishikori of Japan 6-2, 6-2 in a first-round doubles match.
Murray said earlier that he had hired eight-time grand slam winner Ivan Lendl as his new coach in a bid to win a major title.
"It was important to me that any new person joining my team was able to add fresh insight," Murray said in a statement.
"Ivan's impact on the game is unquestionable and he brings experience and knowledge that few others have, particularly in major tournaments."
The 24-year-old Murray spent last season ranked in the top four but still hasn't won a grand slam singles title.
In Abu Dhabi, Novak Djokovic showed he remains the player to beat in 2012, routing David Ferrer 6-2, 6-1 on Saturday to win the World Tennis Championship exhibition tournament. The top-ranked Djokovic also beat Gael Monfils and then routed Roger Federer en route to his first Abu Dhabi title.
Earlier, Nadal shook off an ailing shoulder to beat Federer 6-1, 7-5 to claim third place.
"I felt that I was playing aggressively and moving well, so I was pretty satisfied," Clijsters said.
She also said the abdominal problem that forced her to retire from a number of tournaments, including the US Open, in 2011 had left no lingering problems with her serving action. "I felt confident with my serve. I think that's something that, in the past, wasn't always the case," she said.
In another match yesterday, 2010 French Open champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy advanced to the second round when her opponent, Ksenia Pervak of Russia, retired with a headache at 4-4 in the opening set.
In men's play, James Duckworth of Australia beat Nicolas Mahut of France 6-4, 6-4. Top-seeded Andy Murray combined with former Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis to beat Santiago Giraldo of Colombia and Kei Nishikori of Japan 6-2, 6-2 in a first-round doubles match.
Murray said earlier that he had hired eight-time grand slam winner Ivan Lendl as his new coach in a bid to win a major title.
"It was important to me that any new person joining my team was able to add fresh insight," Murray said in a statement.
"Ivan's impact on the game is unquestionable and he brings experience and knowledge that few others have, particularly in major tournaments."
The 24-year-old Murray spent last season ranked in the top four but still hasn't won a grand slam singles title.
In Abu Dhabi, Novak Djokovic showed he remains the player to beat in 2012, routing David Ferrer 6-2, 6-1 on Saturday to win the World Tennis Championship exhibition tournament. The top-ranked Djokovic also beat Gael Monfils and then routed Roger Federer en route to his first Abu Dhabi title.
Earlier, Nadal shook off an ailing shoulder to beat Federer 6-1, 7-5 to claim third place.
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