Kim Clijsters moves into 2nd round at last U.S. Open

THREE-TIME US Open champion Kim Clijsters is ready to give up the globe-trotting tennis star life at the age of 29 in order to spend more time as a wife and mother.

But first, she's going to give winning another grand slam title one last try.

The Belgian star began the final tournament of her WTA career by defeating American teen Victoria Duval 6-3 6-1 on the same Arthur Ashe Stadium court where she captured US Open crowns in 2005, 2009 and 2010.

"It's going in the upward direction,'' Clijsters said of her game, citing her comfort with New York and the courts as well as a strong week of practice.

"I was playing a lot better in the second set."

Clijsters, whose grand slam title haul also includes last year's Australian Open, stretched her US Open win streak to 22 matches. She has not lost at the US Open since falling to compatriot Justine Henin in the 2003 final.

But she also has missed five of the past eight Flushing Meadows tournaments due to injury or retirement breaks.

Clijsters gave birth to daughter Jada, 4, in 2008 and has brought the child along with her in her global tennis travels.

But Clijsters, who spent 20 weeks as world No.1 in her career, said she knows the time is right to depart the sport now even though older players are still winning grand slams.

"You feel it when it's right," Clijsters said. "It's a feeling you need to have inside if you still want to keep going and you want more of those adrenaline rushes. I just know for me the time is right."

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Good match a little shaky in the first set, but impressive serving.  If she continues in the same fashion and cuts down some on the unforced errors she might just have a shot.  

Although things will get very tough 3rd round onward (Li Na will certainly not be a piece of cake, neither will last year's champ Sam Stosur).  

Tough draw that's for sure, but like I said if she continues serving well she might just have a shot