Kim Clijsters Wins 2009 U.S. Open Title
Clijsters Makes Tennis Comeback with Tournament Win
Sep 17, 2009
Belgian tennis player and former world's number one player Kim Clijsters defeated Caroline Wozniacki 7-5, 6-3 in the 2009 U.S. Open final.
The Grand Slam tournament win capped off Clijsters impressive comeback run. The 26-year-old retired in 2007 due to injuries and during her retirement was married and had a child, but decided in March of 2009 to return to the game. With the win, tennis fans say that it is proof Clijsters is still at the top of her game.
Clijsters Back Out of Retirement
The return from retirement proved to be a wise decision. Clijsters received a wildcard spot to enter the U.S. Open, her first major tournament since coming out of retirement. The first three matches came rather easily, with wins over Kutuzova, Bartoli, and Flipkens. Her toughest test was then against Venus Williams, the world’s number three player, with Clijsters winning 6-0, 0-6, 6-4.
Clijsters defeated China’s Na Li 6-2, 6-4 in the quarterfinals to meet Serena Williams in a controversial semifinal match. Williams, the world’s number two player, controversially swore at the line’s judge and allegedly threatened her life on what would be the final point of the match, handing Clijsters the game. The match ended 6-4, 7-5, and Williams was fined $10,000 for the outburst and issued a public apology.
In the championship game, the Belgian met 19-year-old Caroline Wozniaki of Denmark. The veteran won the match 7-5, 6-3 against the young rookie.
Serena Williams U.S. Open Controversy
The tournament held a number of upsets, including both the Williams sisters being defeated before the final round. The number one player in the world, Dinara Safina, was ousted in the third round by Petra Kvitova, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6.
The U.S. Open also saw the birth of Melanie Oudin’s career, a 17-year-old from the United States who won over the hearts of the American crowd. Oudin defeated fourth-seeded Elena Dementieva before being defeated herself in the quarterfinals by tournament runner-up Wozniacki.
Williams Needs a Win
With a break from a Grand Slam tournament until the Australian Open in January 2010, the tennis world will be watching to see if Oudin can continue her impressive run and if Clijsters can continue playing at a top level.
Clijsters has reached the Australian Open finals once, but has never won the title. Serena Williams is the defending champion and will look forward to redeeming herself after the U.S. Open semifinal controversy.
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