Belgium's Kim Clijsters back on top; regains world number one ranking
Belgium’s Kim Clijsters ended Dane Caroline Wozniacki's reign as the world number one tennis player by defeating Australia's Jelena Dokic in the quarterfinals of the 2011 Open Gaz de France on Friday. Kim instantly exercised her
authority on the match, taking the first set 6-3 and the second set 6-0 to eliminate Dokic and advance to the semi-finals of the tournament. Clijsters will now see herself atop the list, as the new rankings will be announced on Monday.
"I'm very happy to again be the world No. 1 player here," the 27-year-old Clijsters said during an on-court presentation. "It's not in Belgium, but it's very close. Thanks for all your support. I hope I can maybe win the tournament,
too," said Kim.
After making a comeback to professional tennis in August 2009, having retired in 2007, Clijsters has won three Grand Slam titles.
Defending her 2009 women's singles title, Clijsters clinched the 2010 U.S. Open title defeating Russia's Vera Zvonareva. The Russian was beaten 6-2 in the first set and 6-1 in the set to follow as Kim took the championship trophy.
Clijsters' win at the 2011 Australian Open marked her fourth career Grand Slam singles title. The professional got past the first ever Chinese professional, Li Na, to make it to a grand slam final to be crowned champion. Li got
off to a good start by winning the first set 6-3. However, in a reverse of fortune, she lost the second set 3-6 and went on to lose the deciding third set 3-6 as Kim clinched the title.
Furthermore, either Kaia Kanepi of Estonia or Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia will oppose Clijsters in the semi-finals of the 2011 Open Gaz de France. Amongst the other players to have made it through to the semis was also Bethanie
Mattek-Sands of the United States. Mattek defeated the sixth seeded, Andrea Petkovic of Germany 7-6 (4), 2-6 and 6-3 in the quarterfinal match played between the two at the event.
While speaking on Kim's new ranking, Mattek stated, "To have Kim come back, win two Slams in a row now, I think she's definitely deserving of it. Nothing against Caroline, she's had a very consistent year last year. That's deserving
as well."
Now, Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic will oppose Mattek in the semi-finals of the tournament. Kvitova made it through upon getting rid of Belgian Yanina Wickmayer, beating her 5-7, 6-3 and 7-6(3).
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