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Hantuchova ripped apart in Clijsters` merciless defence of top ranking
Filderstadt (Germany), Oct 10: Kim Clijsters routed Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova 6-1 6-1 yesterday at the Porsche Grand Prix, where the Belgian is fighting to keep her no. 1 ranking.
Filderstadt (Germany), Oct 10: Kim Clijsters routed Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova 6-1 6-1 yesterday at the Porsche Grand Prix, where the Belgian is fighting to keep her no. 1
ranking.
Clijsters must reach the final or risk having her top ranking stripped by Belgian rival Justine Henin-Hardenne at the US$565,000 event, where 17 of the world's top 19 are playing.
The Belgian, who reached the quarterfinals, showed no signs of the right ankle sprain that threatened to keep her out of the event. The match was even more one-sided than the final score with Clijsters rattling off 22 of 23 points at one point.
Hantuchova has been in a deep slump since Rome, where she was still ranked fifth. The 20-year-old has failed to win back-to-back matches since.
Last year, the two players also met in the final with Hantuchova leading 4-2 in the third set before bowing to Clijsters. But this time Hantuchova couldn't challenge Clijsters' serve nor hit her balls deep enough to keep the Belgian from slamming winners all over the court.
If Clijsters reaches the final and Henin-Hardenne does too, then the winner will be no. 1. Both Belgians, however, are competing in one of the year's top fields. Both Clijsters and Henin-Hardenne won opening matches against players ranked in the top 14, with Henin-Hardenne downing Spain's Conchita Martinez.
Jennifer Capriati, Lindsay Davenport and Amelie Mauresmo were also to see action later yesterday with all three top 10 players facing tough challenges.
Bureau Report
Clijsters must reach the final or risk having her top ranking stripped by Belgian rival Justine Henin-Hardenne at the US$565,000 event, where 17 of the world's top 19 are playing.
The Belgian, who reached the quarterfinals, showed no signs of the right ankle sprain that threatened to keep her out of the event. The match was even more one-sided than the final score with Clijsters rattling off 22 of 23 points at one point.
Hantuchova has been in a deep slump since Rome, where she was still ranked fifth. The 20-year-old has failed to win back-to-back matches since.
Last year, the two players also met in the final with Hantuchova leading 4-2 in the third set before bowing to Clijsters. But this time Hantuchova couldn't challenge Clijsters' serve nor hit her balls deep enough to keep the Belgian from slamming winners all over the court.
If Clijsters reaches the final and Henin-Hardenne does too, then the winner will be no. 1. Both Belgians, however, are competing in one of the year's top fields. Both Clijsters and Henin-Hardenne won opening matches against players ranked in the top 14, with Henin-Hardenne downing Spain's Conchita Martinez.
Jennifer Capriati, Lindsay Davenport and Amelie Mauresmo were also to see action later yesterday with all three top 10 players facing tough challenges.
Bureau Report