5/5/2002

Kim Fights Back to Win Hamburg

HAMBURG, Germany (AP) -- Kim Clijsters rallied from a loss in the first set to beat top-ranked and defending champion Venus Williams 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the final of the Betty Barclay Open on Sunday.

"Venus played so well in the first set -- she didn't make any mistakes," Clijsters said. "I just had to fight back and I got better."

The 18-year-old Clijsters, ranked No. 3, used powerful groundstrokes on the slow clay court in the second and third sets to keep Williams on the defensive and win her seventh title.

Williams, who beat Martina Hingis to reach the title match and retain the No. 1 ranking for at least another week, capitalized on 12 unforced errors by Clijsters to easily win the first set.

The Belgian teen-ager ended the match when she drove Williams deep into the corner and forced a two-handed backhand that missed the line.

"I was having to hit second serves. I think that was a lot of what did me in today," Williams said. "But I definitely think she played great tennis. She served well and moved well and was determined -- I guess that's what counts in the end."

Clijsters lost in straight sets at the U.S. Open in her only other match against Williams. She advanced to the final when Jelena Dokic withdrew in the semifinal round because of injury while leading 6-4, 4-4.

"I think she definitely played better than last time," Williams said. "She's made a lot of great improvements, but she has a great base to build on. I think she's a very good player. She's only 18, when I was 18, I was having fun."

Williams, who also won the Barclay Open in 1999, was looking for her fifth title of the year. She earned $49,500, approximately $100,000 short of the $10 million in career earnings.

Clijsters Upsets Williams to WIn Hamburg

HAMBURG, GERMANY (TICKER) -- Kim Clijsters is healthy and ready for the French Open.

Clijsters claimed her seventh career title Sunday, upsetting top seed Venus Williams of the United States at the $585,000 Betty Barclay Cup. The second seed from Belgium, Clijsters denied Williams her fifth title of the year, rallying from one set down to post a 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory. The match lasted one hour, 52 minutes.

"She played so good in the first set but I just kept fighting and did the best to raise my level," Clijsters said. "I felt more confident as the games passed. I knew I had to be aggressive from the first points on so I'm just so happy right now."

The 18-year-old Clijsters, who has struggled with injuries this year, claimed the $93,000 first prize. She also avenged a straight-set loss to Williams in the quarterfinals at the U.S. Open.

Earlier this year, Clijsters withdrew in Memphis and Scottsdale due to a leg injury. Three weeks ago at Amelia Island she advanced to the semifinals but retired in the second set against Justine Henin with a stomach virus.

"I feel good and it's a good way to go into the French Open," Clijsters said. "I also played well in my match during the Fed Cup so I hope it continues."

Despite the loss, Williams, a two-time champion of this event, will maitain her No. 1 world ranking for at least one more week.

"In the first set, I played great shots but it's difficult to keep going like that," Williams said. "Maybe I rushed a bit too much. Kim played great tennis. She served well and moved well and was very determined."