Kim Clijsters will continue in Melbourne with a second round clash against Stephanie Foretz GaconYou can watch and bet on Clijsters v Foretz Gacon live for free at bet365 > live tennisKim Clijsters didn’t make the most emphatic start to her Australian Open title defence, but once she managed to seal the first set of her first round matchup against Maria Joao Koehler she started to play nearer to her usual standard. Joao Koehler, only 19 years of age, started brightly against Clijsters, but the Belgian eventually took control and left the court with a 7-5, 6-1 win. Her next match will be against Stephanie Foretz Gacon.
“It's great to be back,” beamed Clijsters after her match. “I always love coming to Australia but the feeling is even stronger now after last year. I came out on to the court and felt all the good memories of last time but I had to focus because she's a good player.”
A few pundits are questioning whether or not Clijsters has fully recovered from the hip injury that she sustained in Brisbane, but the former world No. 1 told reporters that she’s ready to compete for the title here. “I'm feeling good,” continued Clijsters. “I'm happy that's all in the past for me now. Your body has to get used to this no matter how much preparation you do in the off-season. Matches still put so much stress on your body.”
