Kim Clijsters made a strong comeback after being sidelined for nearly four months, outplaying Caroline Wozniacki in straight sets in an exhibition match.
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Clijsters made a blistering start to 2011, winning her fourth Grand Slam title in Australia but the Belgian's hopes of claiming more major glory were dashed by a series of injuries. She sprained an ankle during a shock early exit at the French Open and that injury then forced her out of Wimbledon. On her return to the tour in August, she sustained a stomach muscle tear in the warm-up which put her on the sidelines for the rest of the year.
However the popular Belgian looked fighting fit and extremely sharp in Antwerp where she comprehensively defeated world number one Caroline Wozniacki 6-2, 7-6(5) in front of 10,000 of her home fans.
"So far, and today, everything felt really great. Physically, I feel extremely well, perhaps fitter than ever,” Clijsters said. “Now I am good to get on the plane and fly to Australia. I am happy to have played a match and break the rhythm of daily training.”
Despite her injury-hit 2011, 2012 is likely to be Clijsters' last ever season and she intends to retire after the London 2012 Olympics. Her dream has always been to win Wimbledon and she will be hoping for a fairytale ending to her career next summer.
As for Wozniacki, it may only have been an exhibition but she's never beaten Clijsters on the tour. Despite holding on to her world number one ranking in 2011, the Dane continues to come up short when it matters most and she could soon come under pressure for the top spot from the rapidly improving Petra Kvitova.
