31 Oct 2010

KIM CONQUERS 3RD CHAMPIONSHIPS!


Oct. 31Kim started strongly, lost her way a little and finished fast in the final of the WTA Championships - Doha 2010, scoring a 6-3 5-7 6-3 win over No.1-ranked Caroline Wozniacki for her 3rd career title at the prestigious season-ending tournament.

Coming into this year's event, Kim was the only player in the field who had a winning record at the WTA Championships in previous years (she had been 15-6 here, with none of the other seven players better than even). She was also on a roll in big matches, winning all five of her finals since coming out of retirement last summer.


All of that may have played into a very fast start for Clijsters, who burst out to a 6-3 4-1 lead; Wozniacki, who had won more matches than anyone this year, did not surrender - in fact she picked up her level in a big way, upping the aggression and winning seven of the next eight games to win the second set and break for 1-0 in the first game of the third. The match would turn once more, however.
Kim broke right back in the second game of the third set and was again the frontrunner from there, firing an inside out forehand winner to break again for 4-2, holding easily for 5-2 then holding easily again two games later to complete the three set victory.

"At the moment I'm kind of relieved it's over. It seemed like it would never end", Kim said. "It was a tough battle. I think we showed the crowd some great women's tennis tonight. This was my first time in the Middle East and it was an amazing experience."


Having also won this event in 2002 and 2003, Kim is the fifth player in WTA history to win here three or more times.

"This may be disappointing for Caroline, but she has a great future", Kim added. "I also have to congratulate her on making it to the No.1 ranking."

"This has been a fantastic week for me", Wozniacki said.
"I had a great week. Kim just played amazing today and she really deserved to win."

Kim won her 5th WTA title of the year, following triumphs in Brisbane, Miami, Cincinnati and the US Open, and her 40th career title.



(adapted from wtatour.com)

30 Oct 2010

WTA CHAMPIONSHIPS • KIM REACHES FINAL!


Oct. 30 • Kim has reached the final of the WTA Championships in Doha after defeating Samantha Stosur in straight sets.

Stosur started quickly, breaking Kim in the second game and building a 3-0 lead; Kim broke back, however, and after saving a set point at 4-5 with a backhand down (and hitting) the line, she always seemed to be in control, cruising through a tie-break to end the 61-minute first set and blowing through the second set in 25 minutes to improve to 5-0 in her head-to-head series against Stosur with a 7-6(3) 6-1 victory.

Tomorrow in the final Kim will face world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki, a match that is scheduled at 6pm, local time!



WTA CHAMPIONSHIPS • KIM LOSES LAST GROUP MATCH, SEMIS TODAY!


Oct. 30 • Although she had already qualified for the semifinals on Thurdsay, Kim still had a round robin match to play, against Vera Zvonareva to decide who would be the only undefeated player at this stage of the competition. Despite leading with a break in both sets, Kim had to surrender and lost to the Russian in straight sets: 4-6 5-7.


But Kim will already be back in action today, as she faces Samantha Stosur for a place in the final! The match is scheduled around 5.30pm, local time!

29 Oct 2010

WTA CHAMPIONSHIPS • KIM REACHES SEMIS!



Oct. 28 • Kim has overcome the challenge of Victoria Azarenka (6-4 5-7 6-1) in their group stage match of the WTA Championships in Doha to secure her place in the semifinals of the season-ending event. 

Kim was quite in control in the first set, grabbing a decisive break in the 10th game to take the first set 6-4. 
After losing an incredibly competitive 65-minute second set it was all Kim in the third set, as she needed just 26 minutes to beat Azarenka, her ninth win in a row on the WTA (she went 7-0 to win the US Open and also won her first round robin match here).

Kim is now 2-0 in her group, as is Zvonareva; the two will meet on Friday, with the winner to finish No.1 in their group and the other to finish No.2. The match will take place around 7pm, local time.


28 Oct 2010

WTA CHAMPIONSHIPS • 2ND MATCH INFO


Oct. 28 • Today Kim will come in action in the last match of the day in Doha, facing Victoria Azarenka probably around 8PM, local time, depending on the previous matches.

27 Oct 2010

WTA CHAMPIONSHIPS • KIM WINS 1ST MATCH!


Oct. 27 Kim has made a winning return to the courts today, beating Jelena Jankovic in an entertaining two-setter in her first match of the round robin portion of the WTA Championships in Doha.

Kim, the No.3 seed and a two-time former champion at the season-ending event, had lost her last meeting against Jankovic but with a love service break in the first game of the match set quite a different tone, eventually winning in an hour and 14 minutes, 6-2 6-3. Jankovic saved two match points, including one with an ace, but couldn't save a third one, double faulting on it.

Although her overall numbers were good, Clijsters, who was playing her first match since winning the US Open, struggled somewhat on her serve ― she did hit seven aces, but that was outweighed by 10 double faults.


"I hadn't played a match since the US Open, so I knew it would be a tough one", Kim said. "I'm happy to win. Now I'll keep trying to do the good things, learn from the not-so-good things, and just be better for tomorrow."

Clijsters is the only player in the field to have won here in the past, doing it in back-to-back years (2002 & 2003); this is also her first appearance here since 2006, missing 2007 and 2008 while in retirement and not qualifying last year, having played only four tournaments after returning from retirement.

26 Oct 2010

WTA CHAMPIONSHIPS • 1ST MATCH INFO


Oct. 26 • Kim will start her WTA Championships against Jelena Jankovic. It will be the second match tomorrow in Doha, probably around 7pm, local time.

24 Oct 2010

WTA CHAMPIONSHIPS • KIM'S ARRIVED IN DOHA!


Oct. 24 • The WTA season-ending Championships are about to start in Doha, Qatar. Kim arrived 2 days ago and took some time to practise and take part in a kids' clinic.

Also, Kim is in the white group, together with Zvonareva, Jankovic and Azarenka. She should start her tourney on Wednesday, probably against Azarenka but we'll keep you posted!


18 Oct 2010

NEWS UPDATE • WTA AWARDS + KIMSLAND

Oct. 18 • Time for some update! As you may well know, Kim is currently still recovering from her recent post-US Open foot surgery. She should be physically ready for the WTA season-ending Championships in Doha in a bit more than a week!

Also, know that you can now vote for Kim at the 2010 WTA Awards. Taking place each year, this rewarding event gives tennis lovers the opportunity to vote for their favourite players. Kim is nominated for 'Favourite singles player', 'Most fashionable player (on court)' and 'Most dramatic expression'. You can vote here!

Finally, yesterday the Belgian theme park Plopsaland turned into Kimsland! Just like she did a few years ago, Kim teamed up with the park to organise a dream day for 10,000 kids. Indeed, all these children were given the chance to visit the park for free for the entire day. A beautiful day in which Kim, Brian and Jada took part, naturally!



2 Oct 2010

WTA CHAMPIONSHIPS • KIM HAS QUALIFIED!


Oct. 2 • After Caroline Wozniacki, Vera Zvonareva and Serena Williams, Kim Clijsters has become the fourth player to qualify for the WTA Year-End Championships in Doha!

Kim is currently ranked No.5 and has won 4 titles this year, one Grand Slam at the US Open last month, 2 Premier titles at Miami and Cincinnati, and one International title in Brisbane at the very beginning of the season.

"A year into my comeback, this is a great achievement to me. It's certainly a personal highlight and goal of mine", Kim said. "I've never been to Doha so it will be exciting to travel there as it's a place I'd like to see and learn about."

In Doha, Kim will attempt to capture what would be her 3rd year-end trophy, having won the tournament back in 2002 and 2003. It will be her 7th year-end Championships appearance, first since 2006.