Kim Clijsters played her first WTA singles match in over two years on Monday night in Cincinnati, beating World No. 13 and Stanford Champ Marion Bartoli in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3. Guess Kimmie came ready to play.
I kind of feel sorry for Marion Bartoli, being tied to the tracks as the Clijsters Comeback Express rolled into town. But as the Frenchwoman might say, c’est la vie.
Here are some quotes from the players on Clijster’s comeback:
Kim Clijsters after the match: “I was really excited to be out there. It’s been so long that I’ve been practicing for this. There were some events that I was a part of, but this was my main goal. For it to finally be here, it was exciting.” (via cincytennis.com)
Marion Bartloi: “Without playing a match for two years, it is pretty amazing the level she already has right now. Before she retired, her forehand was weaker than her backhand; today I think it was the opposite. When I put her wide on the forehand she was coming up with some amazing shots. But the way she was moving and hitting, it’s just amazing.” (via WTA)
Patty Schnyder (who will be Kim’s next opponent in Cincy): “We all miss her on the Tour. She has always been a fan favorite and great for the sport. I really hope she enjoys it again and stays with us for a while. I didn’t see her too happy at the end when she decided to take the break, and now I see her happy again. That’s all that matters. If you have so much success you can choose which life you want to live… now she’s back.” (via WTA)
Serena Williams: “I look like I’m the one who had a kid more than her. She looks amazing.” And when asked if she might have a kid of her own while on tour: “I mean, I plan on playing a long time. So if that means I have to pop one out and keep going, I guess so.” (via NYT)
Monday’s results at the Western & Southern Financial Group Women’s Open:
Singles – First Round
[9] Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d Kaia Kanepi (EST) 63 76(2)
[11] Ana Ivanovic (SRB) d [Q] Melanie Oudin (USA) 26 61 61
[WC] Kim Clijsters (BEL) d [12] Marion Bartoli (FRA) 64 63
Anna-Lena Groenefeld (GER) d [16] Virginie Razzano (FRA) 63 36 64
Roberta Vinci (ITA) d [Q] Tatjana Malek (GER) 64 61
Patty Schnyder (SUI) d Gisela Dulko (ARG) 64 60
Lucie Safarova (CZE) d Iveta Benesova (CZE) 63 76(7)
[Q] Olga Govortsova (BLR) d Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) 61 63
Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) d Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) 60 63
Melina Czink (HUN) d Alize Cornet (FRA) 63 62
Anna Chakvetadze (RUS) d Elena Vesnina (RUS) 75 63
[Q] Kateryna Bondarenko (UKR) d Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) 62 62
Tuesday’s matches of note:
U. Radwanska vs. Agnes Szavay
Dinara Safina vs. Roberta Vinci
Lucie Safarova vs. Svetlana Kuznetsova
Venus Williams vs. Olga Govortsova
Tags: Bartoli, Cincy Tennis, Clijsters, Patty Schnyder, Serena Williams, tennis, Western and Souther Financial Group Women's Open, WTA
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She’s not from France, she’s from Belgium… and wow- what a great comeback. I wouldn’t have thought, after Bartoli’s impressive showing in Stanford, that Kim would have rolled her in straight sets. It’s so nice to have her back in the game!
The reference to the Fenchwoman was about Bartoli.
No matter where she’s from, I like her..she’s great.
I’m sure Marion’s father beat the crap out of her after this loss. It’s sad there are so may disfunctional Dad’s that feel the need to coach their daughter. Most have never even played the game. Name me a male player where the father is the coach and never played the game. I feel certain Maria’s father was tough on her as well. I can’t think of a normal relationship when one of these guys coaches their daughter.