Sunday, August 29, 2010

Clijsters bids for US Open repeat

US Open, Flushing Meadows
Dates: 30 August - 12 September Start time: 1600 BST
Coverage: Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles; updates on BBC Radio 5 live; live on Sky Sports


Kim Clijsters celebrates her US Open win last year
Clijsters celebrates her victory in last year's US Open final

Defending US Open champion Kim Clijsters believes her experience of 12 months ago can help her retain her title at Flushing Meadows.

The Belgian beat Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki in the final of her third event after coming out of retirement.

Although the Dane is top seed, second seed Clijsters, who starts her campaign against Hungary's Greta Arn on Monday, will present a strong challenge.

"My attitude is not any different compared to last year," Clijsters said.

"Obviously last year had a few more unanswered questions but I think this year I know what I have to do if I want to try to do as well as I did last year.

"I don't feel any more pressure - pressure is a good thing. Pressure is a sign they're putting you in the spot of maybe being one of the favourites. So I'm excited to be back to defend my title."

Clijsters' return to the sport after her 2007 retirement proved to be an emotional occasion.

Her 18-month-old daughter Jada was in the stadium to see her become the first mother to win a Grand Slam since Evonne Goolagong Cawley beat Chris Evert to win Wimbledon in 1980.

But the Belgian, who has won three titles this year, knows that Wozniacki, who won her fourth title of the year in New Haven on Saturday and starts her campaign against Chelsey Gullickson of the USA on Tuesday, deserves to be top seed in the absence of the injured Serena Williams.

606: DEBATE

"She definitely deserves to be up there. Her consistency is one of her strengths. I think she moves well, anticipates well. She can read a game, an opponent's game, really well," she said.

"I think that's something that, for such a young girl and for someone who hasn't had so many experiences yet, she does really well.

"She's still young but can handle the long matches and playing a lot of tournaments. I always thought if she could just be a little more aggressive once in a while and go for a few more winners, that will definitely take a lot of pressure off her physique in the long run."

Clijsters suffered a hip problem in Montreal earlier this month, but insists she will be ready for the game against Arn which will be the second match on the Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday but will not start before 1300 local time (1800 BST).

"I am in no doubt over my participation in the US Open," she said. "I will likely have some strapping on my leg but that does not mean that I will not be at full fitness."

Baltacha excited ahead of US Open

Third seed Venus Williams will also be in action on the opening day against Italy's Roberto Vinci in the first match of Monday's evening session on Arthur Ashe Stadium at 1900 local time (0000 BST).

French Open winner Francesca Schiavone, the sixth seed, and fifth seed Samantha Stosur, who Schiavone beat at Roland Garros, face Japan's Ayumi Morita and Elena Vesnina of Russia respectively.

British number one Elena Baltacha will also start her campaign against Croatia's Petra Martic on Monday, where she will be first on Court 17 at 1600 BST.

British number three Anne Keothavong will play Yung-Jan Chan of Taipei on Tuesday.

Potenshöjande medel -

No comments: