Justine loses Belgian battle in disappointing match (10/1/2002)

Kim Clijsters defeated Justine Henin in their quarterfinal match with 7-6(5), 6-2.

Kim was the first to break Justine's serve and she took a 3-1 lead, but Justine got the re-break and levelled to 3 all. Kim however went on to win the next two games to lead 5-3 and could serve for the set. She had three setpoints, but missed all of them and Justine broke back. Then it was Justine's turn to serve to stay in the set. Kim had another set point but Justine held her serve to level the score: 5-5 and she went on to break Kim's serve and take a 6-5 lead in the set. But this time it was Justine's turn to miss two setpoints. Clijsters took the break. All even in the first set. Kim went on to win the tiebreak with 7-5.

Justin totally fell apart in the second set and Kim led 2-0. Henin managed to get back to 2-2 but then lost the four next games. It was not the match the crowd had expected. Both players played were out of form today , they made too many unforced errors and Henin's service percentage was again very low. She also hit a few double faults on the important points.

Justine and Meghann play later today against Anna Kournikova and Martina Hingis in doubles.

from henin.net