Clijsters claims US Open in straight sets

11 September 2005

BRUSSELS — Kim Clijsters has won the US Open, defeating Mary Pierce on Saturday in straight sets 6-3 6-1.

The Belgian dominated the match, breaking Pierce three times in the first set and twice in the second to win the match in an hour and five minutes

After she clinched the win, Clijsters leapt into the crowd to celebrate with her family and coach.

“It’s very hard to believe and an amazing feeling to have. After being out for so much of last year it’s a little bit more special,” she said.

The Limburg-born Clijsters had lost four Grand Slam finals in the past and missed much of 2004 with a serious wrist injury.

However, she returned stronger than ever this year and has won seven tournaments in 2005.

As tournament favourite heading into the US Open, Clijsters earned a record sum of USD 2.2 million for her victory.

This is double the normal amount of prize money because she’d also won the summer’s US Open Series.

Clijsters is the second Belgian to have won the US Open after Justine Henin-Hardenne captured the trophy in 2003.

“She’s a great girl, you know. She’s a champion,” Pierce said of Clijsters.

It was the second Grand Slam defeat for Pierce at the hands of a Belgian this year, losing 6-1 6-1 to Henin-Hardenne in the French Open final earlier this year.

Subject: Belgian news