WTA Chicago: Kim Clijsters is selling dearly, but is eliminated
Kim Clijsters sold herself dearly at the start of her recent comeback on the WTA tour in Chicago, but in the end had to admit defeat to Su-Wei Hsieh.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Sep 27, 2021, 09:18 pm
In a sense, she is taking a role model from Andy Murray, explained Kim Clijsters before her first appearance on the WTA tour after the next long break since the Belgian had announced her retirement from tennis last year. "To see how he goes through the things that he has been through and speaks openly about the challenges and the beliefs that he has is something I can identify with," said the Belgian.
And the former number one in the world, Kim Clijsters, always manages to convince with impressive tennis. Despite the long, long pause. This also applies to long stretches of her first round duel at the WTA 250 event in Chicago, where Clijsteres started with the multifaceted Su-Wei Hsieh. And where the Belgian knew how to sell dearly.
Su-Wei Hsieh with longer breath
In any case, Clijsters got going like the fire brigade, getting a quick 3-0 in the first set. But then broke in. Temporarily - eight games in a row went to Su-Wei Hsieh who was now 6: 3 and 2: 0 in the lead. However, the 38-year-old fought back again, managed the rebreak and a little later sent the match 7: 5 in a decisive set. In this one it was a break that ultimately tipped the balance in favor of Su-Wei Hsieh, who bought her ticket for the second round wafer-thin.
Andrea Petkovic bought her quarter-final ticket in Chicago in the afternoon.