Kim Clijsters pulls out of Indian Wells –Tennis News
Belgian number one, Kim Clijsters, skipped the BNP Paribas Open, a WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) Premier Mandatory event held in Indian Wells, due to an ankle injury she picked up at the Melbourne Grand Slam in January.
After retiring from the opening round at the Toronto WTA Premier event in August last year, the former world number one played her first tour-level match at the Brisbane International this season. She made a stunning come-back and cruised to the final four
before losing to the Slovakian contender, Daniela Hantuchova. She overpowered the Romanian rising star, Simona Halep, and a former world number one, Ana Ivanovic, en route to the semis.
The blooming Belgian kept momentum running into the first Grand Slam event held in the third and fourth week of January. She breezed past her rivals in straight sets to set-up a fourth round clash against the Roland Garros champion, Li Na. The Belgian, who
was defending her title here, suffered an ankle injury in this match but still managed to battle past her into the quarters. She upset the top seed Caroline Wozniacki in the epic final eight clash but was ousted in the semi-finals by the current world number
one, Victoria Azarenka.
"I'm very disappointed that my ankle injury is preventing me from playing the BNP Paribas Open this year," the Belgian veteran stated on her official website. "Indian Wells has been a very special tournament for me, winning in 2003 and again in 2005 when
I returned from injury. I have great memories of Indian Wells and have always enjoyed the fan support there. I wish the tournament a great success this year."
The 28-year-old has a 24-5 win-loss record at this WTA event. She made a final berth in 2001 (crashing out by Serena Williams) and grabbed two titles here. The Belgian outfoxed Lindsay Davenport to triumph in 2003 and 2005 at this
prestigious tournament.
After receiving several well wishes from her fans around the globe, Clijsters responded at a social networking site: “Good morning, thanks for all your messages! Indian Wells is a great tournament... I am sorry I had to withdraw!
Miami next!”
The four-time Grand Slam champion will next demonstrate her skills at the Sony Ericsson Open, another WTA mandatory event held on the hard courts in Miami. She lifted titles here in 2005 (crushing the Russian ace, Maria Sharapova, in the final showdown)
and 2010 (defeating American icon Venus Williams in the title-round).
Tags: