KIM CONQUERS 3RD CHAMPIONSHIPS!

Oct. 31 • Kim 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)