Former champion Kim Clijsters has moved into the semi-finals of the
Brisbane International, eclipsing hard-hitting Czech Iveta Benesova 6-3
6-2 On Pat Rafter Arena.
The fifth seed and defending Australian Open champion
didn't have it all her own way against Benesova, who dumped local
favourite and US Open champ Samantha Stosur out of the event earlier in
the week.
The left-hander was down 5-0 in the opening set before
giving Clijsters a fright, showing great power from the baseline to
threaten to make a match of it before the veteran smarts of Clijsters
had the final say.
Benesova had her chances – including seven break point opportunities
in the first set – but could only capitalise on one occasion.
It was easier going in the second set for the Belgian,
who had to earn her points but never really looked like becoming another
victim in what has been a tournament of upsets.
Clijsters will now meet Daniela Hantuchova in a
semi-final tomorrow night, with the Slovak advancing when Serena
Williams withdrew from their quarter-final with an ankle injury.
The world number 13 has never lost in Brisbane (8-0) and
looks to be over the abdominal injury that kept her out of last year's
US Open, won by Stosur. This is Clijsters' first tournament on the
comeback trail.
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