Wimbledon 2010 Kim Clijsters defeats Lucie Safrova to reach Eastbourne Quarter Finals
Former World No. 1 Kim Clijsters defeated Lucie Safarova to reach the last eight of Eastbourne Grass Court Championships. Clijsters crushed the Czech 6-1, 6-0.
The Belgium was in dazzling form as she overcame her Czech counterpart. Clijsters was unstoppable for Safarova as the Czech was able to win only a single game in the whole match. Eastbourne which is considered a prelude to Wimbledon provides warm-up practice for players relishing to play on the only grass court Grand Slam.
Belgium’s Clijsters will be playing her first Wimbledon this year since 2006. 5th seeded Clijsters came out of international retirement last year and her performance in London was clearly showing her intent for Wimbledon. She would be hoping to eliminate disappointments of the previous Wimbledon in this year's edition. Clijsters has never gone past the last four at Wimbledon but this year she is intent to rewrite history.
Clijsters started the match in her typical fashion as she broke Safarova early in the opening set. Safarova was able to hold her service game only once as the Belgian wrapped up the first set in seventh game. The second set was more one sided, as Clijsters broke every single serve of her Czech opponent to seal the match.
Clijsters will face Victoria Azarenka for a place in last four. Belarusian Azarenka earlier beat British qualifier Heather Watson with the score of 6-1, 6-1. Similarly, Roland Garros runner-up, Samantha Stosur also reached last eight as she defeated Daniela Hantuchova in a close three set match.
Australian Stosur overcame Slovakian Hantuchova in three sets, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. Stosur looked uncomfortable against her Slovakian opponent as she lost her flow during the second set despite winning the opening set. But she fought back to secure the final set and match, hence booked her place in last eight.
Meanwhile, former US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova defeated Romanian Sorana Cirstea with the score of 4-6, 7-6, 7-6 to reach the quarter-finals. Former Roland Garros champion Kuznetsova will now follow Russian Ekaterina Makarova for a place in the last four.
British player, Elena Baltacha also made her mark when she defeated China’s Zheng Jie 6-2, 1-6, 6-3. British Baltacha will now face Australian Stosur in the quarter-finals.
In the men’s matches, top seed of the tournament Nicolas Almagro exited the tournament after retiring in his match against Uzbek Denis Istomin. After losing the first set, Almagro retired with an injury. Another victorious player was Britain’s James Ward who defeated Germany’s Rainer Schuettler in straight sets 6-3, 7-5.
On the other hand, former World No.1 and Clijsters compatriot Justin Henin continued her good form at Den Bosch Open in Netherlands. She churned out another victory to reach the last eight of the grass court tournament. Like Clijsters, Henin also came out of retirement earlier this year and made an immediate mark on international tennis.
In her typical style, she overcame Roberta Vinci Italy to reach the last eight. She defeated the Italian with the score of 6-3, 6-3. Henin broke the Italian in both sets to record an easy win. In other matches at Den Bosch, Alexandra Dulgheru also secured her place in last eight. The Romanian Dulgheru defeated Russian Alla Kudryavtseva in an epic match. She won the match with the score of 6-3, 2-6 and 6-1.
Lastly, draws of Wimbledon have been announced. Defending Champion Roger Federer will be top seed despite losing the World No.1 spot to arch rival Rafael Nadal. Federer has so far won six Wimbledons and will be hoping to add another this year. Federer overcame resilient American Andy Roddick in last year’s epic five set final.
On the other hand, Nadal is seeded 2nd for the only grass court grand slam of the year despite being on the World No.1 spot. Nadal, who had just won his record sixth Roland Garros this year, will be hoping to keep his good form going and win the All England Club championship for a second time.
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