INDIAN WELLS — Two-time BNP Paribas Open champion Kim Clijsters has reached the final of her past five consecutive events, but the No. 2 player in the world looked a bit wobbly in her third-round match against Italy's Sara Errani on Sunday.
Clijsters overcame a tricky Errani for a 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 triumph and tweeted after her match that she “didn't play good” and happy she won.
“Not at all pleased, but I won,” said Clijsters, who will next face Marion Bartoli of France. “That is probably the positive thing I'm getting out of it. I was able to win without being close to coming to my best level.”
Clijsters overcame erratic serving in the first two sets, but was able to break Errani twice in the third.
Clijsters said she felt a little slower on her feet and began to worry about the little details.
“Those are enough to get your focus away,'' she said. “That's trying to play aggressive and try to not let her rip those forehands. I just kind of lost focus a little bit. I let her play her game and play the game that she likes to play too much.”
Clijsters added that she has been bothered by a sore shoulder and also was feeling as if her feet were “heavy.” She was taking Advil-type medication for her shoulder at the Australian Open, but battled through. She said it's just a pinching feeling when she had to reach up for Errani's higher shots and feels it a bit more when she faces a player who uses a lot of topspin. She plans to receive additional treatment in Miami to help prepare for the clay-court season.
“Just when I'm not training it fells fine,” she said. “As I got into hitting a little bit more when I do that kick serve and when I have to reach that right arm up higher with the forehand.
Errani equaled her best performance at Indian Wells. She also made it to the third round last year, eventually losing to the eventual champ Jelena Jankovic in three sets.
mydesert.com
I've been out of the loop thus far and haven't been following Indian Wells at all.
Good to see Kim made it through although with some struggle (hope the shoulder holds up). Hope Roger continues on the same path as well.
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