Why Kim Clijsters Will Win the 2011 Australian Open
Belgian tennis player Kim Clijsters has been making waves on the tennis circuit since her return to the WTA Tour in 2009, when she marked her comeback by winning the US Open trophy. Last year, she successfully defended her title at Flushing Meadows to win
the 2010 US Open trophy yet again. Now, after her most recent defeat of Russian pro Vera Zvonareva, Clijsters has qualified for the Australian Open final with a chance to win her first Grand Slam out of America.
In addition to Kim’s natural talent and ability, there are a great number of reasons for her to succeed. She has always been a particular favourite at Melbourne, and is still known as “Aussie Kim”; it comes as no surprise that most spectators are choosing
to back her as the winning horse in the Saturday final against Chinese World Number 11 Li Na.
A major factor in the Belgian’s success will be the absence of former World Number 1 Serena Williams. The American pro would have been one of the toughest competitors for Clijsters to beat; she has won the Australian Open five times, and it is her most favoured
Grand Slam event. However, Williams has been forced to withdraw from a great number of tournaments in order to undergo rehabilitation for her foot. Currently World Number 4 and restricted to the bleachers, Williams’s absence improved Clijsters’s chances of
winning the event drastically.
In addition to this, Kim Clijsters has never won a title at Melbourne Park. Although she has been competing professionally since 1997, the Australian Cup is one trophy which she has yet to lift. Although she came heartbreakingly close to success in 2004,
her efforts were thwarted by Justine Henin at the last stage of the tournament. Therefore, apart from Wimbledon, the Australian Open is one forum where Clijsters has not had much success. With her accelerated game and improved performance, her wish to give
her Aussie fans something to cheer about just might come true.
Yet another factor working in Kim’s favour is the incredible momentum she has built up for herself over the past year. Her last Grand Slam campaign was wildly successful; she beat Zvonareva in straight sets to take her third title in New York. She was also
named the Player of the Year. The only match she has lost so far this season is her Medibank International final, where Li Na got the best of her in the warm-up tournament.
Currently 27 years old, Clijsters has been doing the tennis rounds for quite some time now. Although she retired three years ago to have a child, she has managed to stay in top physical form. Despite the fact that she is now older than many players on the
WTA, she managed to play the best tennis of her career after her comeback. Her claims that she is in the best shape of her life are completely justified.
And of course, with age, comes experience. As mentioned before, Clijsters has been around for quite some time. She began her pro career in 1997, retired in 2007 and made a comeback in 2009. Since then, her game has been flawless. Not only that, but the experience
she has gained provides her with an immense advantage over younger players on the court.
It must also be kept in mind that Clijsters has played in a total of six Grand Slam title matches. She has won three of these matches, and not many players in the Australian Open draw had the honour of such a prestigious claim. Not only does Clijsters possess
the physical tenacity required to win the tournament, she is also mentally tough and far more experienced than her Chinese opponent.
Some critics may back Na up on the basis of her recent success in Sydney; however, the fact remains that there is a vast difference between a Grand Slam final and a tour title final. While Li Na may give Clijsters a run for her money, odds are that Clijsters
will end up with the prize at the end of the day.
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