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With an eye on No.2 ranking, Clijsters charges into quarters
Berlin, May 09: Top-seeded Kim Clijsters closed in on Venus Williams` no. 2 ranking yesterday at the German Open by beating Colombia`s Fabiola Zuluaga, 7-5 6-3.
Berlin, May 09: Top-seeded Kim Clijsters closed in on Venus Williams' no. 2 ranking yesterday at the German Open by beating Colombia's Fabiola Zuluaga, 7-5 6-3.
Clijsters needed four match points before the world no. 52 missed the line with a back hand, but it was still a one-sided match for the Belgian player in reaching the quarterfinals of the US$1.224 million event.
The 19-year-old Belgian is coming back from a five-week break after pronouncing herself exhausted following a final loss in Miami to Serena Williams.
"I definitely felt better out there today than my first round match," Clijsters said of her return to the court. "I love playing tennis, it's my life. As long as my body can take it, I'll keep playing."
Clijsters will have to claim her third title this year at the event, a major tuneup for the French Open, to be sure of passing the older Williams sister in the rankings. A berth in the final, if her opponents along the way are ranked high enough, might also do.
Jennifer Capriati, the world no. 7, also faced little trouble in a 6-2 6-3 win against 17th-seeded Nathalie Dechy of France, while top seeds Justine Henin-Hardenne and Amelie Mauresmo were to play later in the day.
Clijsters failed to win a match at the German Open in two previous tries. But this year, the 19-year-old Belgian has been nearly unbeatable by anyone not named Williams. She is 27-1 against the rest of the world; 0-3 against the American sisters.
Bureau Report
Clijsters needed four match points before the world no. 52 missed the line with a back hand, but it was still a one-sided match for the Belgian player in reaching the quarterfinals of the US$1.224 million event.
The 19-year-old Belgian is coming back from a five-week break after pronouncing herself exhausted following a final loss in Miami to Serena Williams.
"I definitely felt better out there today than my first round match," Clijsters said of her return to the court. "I love playing tennis, it's my life. As long as my body can take it, I'll keep playing."
Clijsters will have to claim her third title this year at the event, a major tuneup for the French Open, to be sure of passing the older Williams sister in the rankings. A berth in the final, if her opponents along the way are ranked high enough, might also do.
Jennifer Capriati, the world no. 7, also faced little trouble in a 6-2 6-3 win against 17th-seeded Nathalie Dechy of France, while top seeds Justine Henin-Hardenne and Amelie Mauresmo were to play later in the day.
Clijsters failed to win a match at the German Open in two previous tries. But this year, the 19-year-old Belgian has been nearly unbeatable by anyone not named Williams. She is 27-1 against the rest of the world; 0-3 against the American sisters.
Bureau Report