Paris, June 08: Belgian star Kim Clijsters elected to look on the bright side yesterday after compatriot Justine Henin-Hardenne blew her away 6-0 6-4 in the French Open women's singles final.
Clijsters had the benefit of the experience gained from a lost final two years ago when she bowed to Jennifer Capriati - but whereas on that occasion she stretched the winner to 12-10 in the final set this time she was never at the races, twice missing triple break points in the opening set.
"I was trying to focus, but even in the beginning of the match at 3-0 it could have been 3-0 to me. I had game point in every game - but she was not giving me anything for free on those points," reflected Clijsters, who will celebrate her 20th birthday today with another runners-up momento in her trophy cabinet as opposed to her first grand slam. Henin-Hardenne became the first ever Belgian slam winner and Clijsters sportingly said she was happy for her rival, whose career development has followed a strikingly similar path while they are also Fed Cup teammates.
"I was feeling okay but didn't have that rhythm that I had in some other matches here this week. I was nervous - maybe a little bit more than normal, it's always a big occasion," said Clijsters - who added something was missing from her game throughout the fortnight.



"I think so far in this tournament I haven't played my best tennis - but I still got through to the final, so that's a good sign as well," said Clijsters, who will look to console herself and give herself a birthday present after all by landing the doubles alongside Japan's Ai Sugiyama.


Bureau Report