No fairytale Melbourne Park farewell for Clijsters
Source: Agencies |
January 27, 2012, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
BACK-FROM-THE-BRINK victories by Kim Clijsters had given the defending champion an air of invincibility at Melbourne Park this year, but yesterday's 4-6, 6-1, 3-6 semifinal loss to Victoria Azarenka in her Australian Open farewell proved even the teak-tough Belgian is fallible.
Clijsters had been hoping for a fairy-tale finish on Rod Laver Arena, where she has been known affectionately as "Aussie Kim" by the local public since her one-time engagement to former world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt.
It had appeared a sure bet as she leveled at a set apiece, with the temperamental Azarenka crumbling before her eyes and the stands roaring her on after every winning point.
In previous matches, iron-woman Clijsters had saved four match points against China's Li Na after shrugging off an ankle injury, and eased past Caroline Wozniacki in straights sets, dislodging the Dane from the top ranking in the process.
But with a fifth grand slam crown beckoning, a stunned Clijsters cracked under the pressure and was broken three times in a deciding third set in which she clattered 18 unforced errors.
In a glittering stop-start career, Clijsters has retired once, married, become a mother and notched up four grand slams among her 41 tour wins, but the losses still burn the 28-year-old Belgian.
"This one, I think we both played some really, really good tennis. But it's unfortunate when you get so close," the usually ebullient Belgian told reporters gloomily. "I know I'm capable of beating all these girls, but it's whoever's better on the day wins and gets to go through."
Clijsters has confirmed 2012 will be her last on the tour and she has spoken longingly of winning a medal for Belgium at the London Olympics.
Clijsters had been hoping for a fairy-tale finish on Rod Laver Arena, where she has been known affectionately as "Aussie Kim" by the local public since her one-time engagement to former world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt.
It had appeared a sure bet as she leveled at a set apiece, with the temperamental Azarenka crumbling before her eyes and the stands roaring her on after every winning point.
In previous matches, iron-woman Clijsters had saved four match points against China's Li Na after shrugging off an ankle injury, and eased past Caroline Wozniacki in straights sets, dislodging the Dane from the top ranking in the process.
But with a fifth grand slam crown beckoning, a stunned Clijsters cracked under the pressure and was broken three times in a deciding third set in which she clattered 18 unforced errors.
In a glittering stop-start career, Clijsters has retired once, married, become a mother and notched up four grand slams among her 41 tour wins, but the losses still burn the 28-year-old Belgian.
"This one, I think we both played some really, really good tennis. But it's unfortunate when you get so close," the usually ebullient Belgian told reporters gloomily. "I know I'm capable of beating all these girls, but it's whoever's better on the day wins and gets to go through."
Clijsters has confirmed 2012 will be her last on the tour and she has spoken longingly of winning a medal for Belgium at the London Olympics.
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