Clijsters Becomes "Aussie Kim"

Everyone said Clijsters was the favourite to win the Australian Open this year. Although I am sure they all believed she has the weapons to do it, I am not certain how many of them (including myself in this category) really saw her go all the way. Judging based on her Slam history, she's done a great job in New York where she is the undisputed queen having won three titles and riding on a 21 matches winning streak. However, in the other Slam she entered after returning to the tour, her results were not that impressive: she lost that horror match against Petrova in Melbourne and stumble against Zvonareva at Wimbledon. She seems to be tougher mentally now, but even so, winning here might be a more difficult job than expected. At the beginning of the fortnight, I thought it might be Justine's year. I felt she was the best player in the draw. Clijsters might have grown stronger, but she's not as consistent as her fellow Belgian opponent. Justine just has that winner stamina. Even though she's troubled, she finds a way to win it. At least she used to before retiring.

My prediction proved wrong, as Henin lost to Kuznetsova in the third round. Immediately after, she announced her retirement from the sport due to injury. Kim on the other side looked in control. After thrashing Safina in the opener, she lost her focus a bit but squeezed wins against Makarova and Radwanska. Just at the right time, she reached her ultimate level and beat Zvonareva easily in the semis. In the final though, she was about to face a seriously improved Chinese Na Li who was playing the tennis of her life. I saw some of her matches and she was incredible. Azarenka and Petkovic, players who hit the ball really hard and are very aggressive just couldn't find a way to beat her. She won those matches easily and after passing Wozniacki in the semis, she looked set to make history for her country by becoming the first Chinese to win a Glam Slam. After announcing this might be her last Australian Open, the crowd was behind its 'Aussie Kim'. The first set was tense, Kim facing the same difficulties in breaking Li's game. The Chinese won it 6-3. But then the miracle happened. She did something, not really sure what, but managed to turn it around. She won it in three sets. Her first Glam outside the US. Finally! 

This is probably one of the best sensations I, as a viewer, experience while watching tennis. When your fave is down and out, seeing her come back from the bring of defeat and win it makes it so much more special. It's incredible how the player who previously used to lose matches being up 5-1 and match points managed to transform into this fierce competitor who takes every chance and wins almost every important tournament she enters. I would classify this as her second turn-around of her second career (the first being in the Cincinatti final against Sharapova last summer). Great job Kim! I just hope you'll keep on playing!

With this post I want to thank her for being such a great champion and for winning in Australia. After the Federer blow, I was really yearning some success. And yes Kim, now you truly deserve your 'Aussie Kim' nickname!

PS: Green seems to be the colour for Kim. Her uncle wore a pair of green pants to every match to ensure the winning streak. Also, her outfit was entirely green!

A fortnight after losing to Li in the Sydney final, Kim Clijsters got her revenge, recovering from the loss of the first set to claim her first Australian Open crown. The 'Aussie Kim' defeated the Chinese 3-6,6-3,6-3.

photos: GETTY IMAGES