KIM AND BRIAN VISIT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Nov. 21 • On the occasion of the Universal Day of Children (Nov. 20), Kim and Brian payed the European Parliament a visit on the 19th. A SOS Children's Villages Ambassador, Kim called for EU decision-makers to strengthen families and end child poverty. Kim and Brian came with a present: a painting picturing Kim, Brian and Jada, and made up of more than 2,000 smaller family portraits sent by Ketnet (one of Kim's sponsors) viewers and SOS Children's Villages.

"Children not growing up in a family face a heightened risk of emotional insecurity, educational failure, abuse and violence", Kim pointed out. "These are the harsh facts. Not only in third world countries, but also here in Europe. That’s why you’re here, at the very heart of the European Institutions, debating. That’s why we’re here, supporting your debate. It should be a basic right for every child to grow up in the warmth of a family." 

The European Union was represented by Véronique de Keyser, Member of the European Parliament, and Philippe Courard, Belgian Secretary of State for Social Integration and Combating Poverty (Belgium holds the EU Presidency until the end of 2010).

Here is the official SOS Children's Villages website, check it out for more information on the project!

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)

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!

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.