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9/4/2001
Clijsters Forges Ahead
Belgium's flag is still waving high at the U.S. Open.
The highest ranked of the three-member Belgian brigade, Kim Clijsters advanced to the quarterfinals Monday by downing fellow teen-ager Elena Dementieva.
"It's the first quarterfinals of my career here," Clijsters said following her 7-5, 4-6, 6-2 victory. "It's my best result, so it's been very good. I'm happy with the way I played my first set and my third set, so I'm very satisfied."
Clijsters is seeded fifth in the year's final Grand Slam tournament, one spot ahead of fellow Belgian Justine Henin, a fourth-round loser to former champion Serena Williams. The third player from the small European nation, Xavier Malisse, has been one of the surprises in the men's draw.
Dementieva, seeded 11th, was a semifinalist here on the hard courts of Arthur Ashe Stadium last year, and then won the silver medal at the Sydney Olympics. But against Clijsters, she repeatedly came up on the losing end of their baseline rallies.
"She's one of the players that is a very tough fighter," Clijsters said of her Russian foe. "She's had great results so far in her career, and she goes for every ball. Every rally is long."
It took awhile before the eventual winner gained control of the match as four of the first six games were service breaks. "She broke me a few times in the second set as well," Clijsters said.
But the third set belonged to the Belgian right-hander as she advanced to a possible meeting against reigning Wimbledon champion Venus Williams in the next round.
"Venus has been playing unbelievable the last two years," said Clijsters. "She's been really dominating tennis. She can have an off day sometimes, like the way she played against Barbara Schett at the French Open.
"I'm in the quarterfinal. I've never played Venus before. I know it's going to be fast, like quick rallies and a lot of winners and unforced errors. That's what I'll be ready for.
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Clijsters Forges Ahead"It's the first quarterfinals of my career here," Clijsters said following her 7-5, 4-6, 6-2 victory. "It's my best result, so it's been very good. I'm happy with the way I played my first set and my third set, so I'm very satisfied." Clijsters is seeded fifth in the year's final Grand Slam tournament, one spot ahead of fellow Belgian Justine Henin, a fourth-round loser to former champion Serena Williams. The third player from the small European nation, Xavier Malisse, has been one of the surprises in the men's draw. Dementieva, seeded 11th, was a semifinalist here on the hard courts of Arthur Ashe Stadium last year, and then won the silver medal at the Sydney Olympics. But against Clijsters, she repeatedly came up on the losing end of their baseline rallies. "She's one of the players that is a very tough fighter," Clijsters said of her Russian foe. "She's had great results so far in her career, and she goes for every ball. Every rally is long." It took awhile before the eventual winner gained control of the match as four of the first six games were service breaks. "She broke me a few times in the second set as well," Clijsters said. But the third set belonged to the Belgian right-hander as she advanced to a possible meeting against reigning Wimbledon champion Venus Williams in the next round. "Venus has been playing unbelievable the last two years," said Clijsters. "She's been really dominating tennis. She can have an off day sometimes, like the way she played against Barbara Schett at the French Open. "I'm in the quarterfinal. I've never played Venus before. I know it's going to be fast, like quick rallies and a lot of winners and unforced errors. That's what I'll be ready for. |