Clijsters sets sights on US OPEN
Clijsters sets sights on US OPEN
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By Matthew Cronin
STANFORD, California, Aug 1 (Reuters) - After winning her third hardcourt title
of the year, Kim Clijsters believes she is primed to win her first grand slam
title at the U.S. Open which begins at the end of the month.
"The U.S. Open is on my mind," Clijsters told Reuters after defeating Wimbledon
champion Venus Williams 7-5 6-2 in the final of the Stanford Classic.
"I'd like to give myself another chance to go for the title again."
The 22-year-old has reached four grand slam finals but has come up short each
time.
However, having chalked up a 24-match winning streak on U.S. soil, Clijsters
has reason to believe she could at last break her grand slam jinx.
"I still have few things to work on but it's the last grand slam of the year
and the one I always look forward to," said Clijsters.
The former world number one has not been beaten in the United States since she
lost the 2003 Flushing Meadows final to fellow Belgian Justine Henin-Hardenne.
"Justine did play well but I should have won the first set and it would have
been a totally different match," she said referring to the 7-5 6-1 defeat.
"But you can say 'if' with everything in life.
"It was frustrating at the time. It can take weeks or longer to get over it if
you keep recreating it in your mind. But you learn."
After a miserable 2004 season, when she was sidelined following wrist surgery,
Clijsters marked her comeback with a 14-match winning streak. She captured back-
to-back titles at Indian Wells and Miami in March and April.
But the alarm bells started to ring again when she injured her right knee in
May just before the French Open.
The Belgian said it subsequently affected her right hip and she had to take
anti-inflammatory medication at Roland Garros.
"I never mentioned it there because I didn't want to use it as an excuse but I
didn't have any motivation because of the injuries," she said.
"I feel good now and it only bothers me sometimes but I have to make sure to
stretch and keep loose.
"After last year I've learned a lot about myself. I've started working hard
again. I love playing tennis and as long as I keep healthy and take the
necessary breaks, I'll stay motivated."
The U.S. Open begins on August 29 and finishes on September 11.
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