Clijsters cruises into last four

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:47

Clijsters, playing on a wild card in just her third tournament since coming out of retirement having become a mother for the first time, breezed past China’s 18th seed Li Na in just 63 minutes, winning 6-2 6-4.

The victory was the 26-year-old Belgian’s 100th career grand slam win in her first US Open since winning it in 2005.

Clijsters, who had beaten third seed Venus Williams in three sets in the previous round, also secured her sixth straight semi-final appearance in a grand slam having retired in May 2007 following an Australian Open last-four loss to Maria Sharapova the preceding January.

It was a straightforward victory for Clijsters as she prevented Li from becoming the first Chinese player to reach a grand slam semi-final.

The Belgian went a break up in the third game and did not look back as she wrapped up the opening set in 25 minutes.

It took nine games for Clijsters to make the breakthrough in the second set but once she got it the wild card wasted no time in sealing victory, earning double match point in the next game.

Clijsters netted a forehand on the first point but victory was hers when Li returned a second serve on the next one with a wild forehand.

Either second seed and defending champion Serena Williams or 10th seed Flavia Pennetta will be Clijsters’ opponent in the last four, the American and Italian meeting in a night match at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

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