Belgian Clijsters Wins Back-to-Back Titles at Flushing Meadows

Published : September 13, 2010 :: 09:09:57 [ 596 views ]

Belgian Clijsters Wins Back-to-Back Titles at Flushing Meadows

Defending champion Kim Clijsters won her third US Open title on Saturday night with a resounding 6-2, 6-1 victory over seventh seeded Russian Vera Zvonareva.

United States, the 12^th of September 2010: The 27-year-old is now unbeaten in an incredible 21 matches at Flushing Meadows, having won the 2005 and 2009 titles, missing the three intervening years due to injury and retirement.

“It’s been an incredible year, being back in the Open and for the first time I’m able to defend my title,” Clijsters said at the trophy ceremony. “A little bit of experience definitely helps. (Zvonareva) has improved so much. Vera just keep it going, it will happen.”

Promising so much, the final between the defending champion and the Russian, who had not dropped a set on her way to the main event, did not disappoint Clijsters fans, who were privy to a wonderful display of textbook tennis. While Zvonareva’s display was typical of a player still fighting to find their feet at the pinnacle of world tennis.

Playing in her second consecutive Grand Slam final, Zvonareva started the match comfortably, the pair trading service wins. However, her relaxed fashion soon dissipated allowing Clijsters to gain a dominant position, one that she did not relinquish.

Despite a few fleeting moments, a comeback of epic proportions never really looked likely for the Russian, the defending champion becoming the first women’s back-to-back victor at Flushing Meadows since Venus Williams in 2001.