Friday August 31, 2012
Three-time US Open champ Clijsters ushered out as Murray cruises
KIM Clijsters’ illustrious singles career drew to an emotional close on Wednesday when the former world number one was knocked out of the second round of the US Open by Britain’s Laura Robson.
Robson’s compatriot Andy Murray later made light work of Croatia’s Ivan Dodig to reach the third round but it was the 7-6, 7-6 defeat of Belgian Clijsters that grabbed the attention as the first significant upset of the tournament.
Clijsters, three-times a US Open champion, remains in the doubles and mixed doubles but the loss to Robson was her final singles match before she quits the tour to concentrate on family life.
She saved two match points in the 12th game of the second set with a searing forehand volley and a huge first serve.
Farewell: Kim Clijsters of Belgium waves goodbye after losing to Laura Robson of Britain in their women’s singles second round match. — Reuters The tiebreak was tense as Clijsters fought to extend her career but Robson, the world number 89 playing with fearless aggression and pinpoint accuracy, converted her third match point and it was all over for the 29 year old.
“I have played some of my best tennis here and some of my best matches,” Clijsters said.
“It is a place that has inspired me. This feels like the perfect place to retire – but I just wish it wasn’t today.
“I fought and gave it my all but just wasn’t good enough in the end.
“It’s been a great adventure. It’s all been worth it but I’m looking forward to the next part of my life.”
Robson paid tribute to Clijsters in an on-court interview.
“I was just trying to play as well as I could because if I didn’t, I knew Kim would completely dominate,” Robson said.
“I want to say thanks to Kim for being such a great role model for so many years.
“I have grown up watching you play and it has been an honour to finally play against you.” — Reuters
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