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?Kim Clijsters of Belgium returns a volley to Marion Bartoli of France during their first round match of the 2009 Cincinnati Women's Open tennis tournament August 10, 2009. [Xinhua/Reuters Photo] |
The former world No.1 Kim Clijsters made a stunning return to tennis after her retirement two years ago when she beat the 12th-seeded Marion Bartoli 6-4, 6-3 in the first round of the Cincinnati Open, according to media reports on Tuesday.
The Belgian, who gave birth to her first child in February of last year, outplayed the former Wimbledon runner-up in one hour, 22 minutes.
"I'm really excited playing my first match," Clijsters said. "I've been training since the start of February, and I've always been focused on Cincinnati. Winning my first match feels good."
Clijsters looked good even before she started playing, according to Serena Williams, "I look like I had a kid more than she does," Williams said earlier in the day. "She looks amazing."
Clijsters joked that she had "zero" confidence going into her first match in 28 months. She will meet Patty Schnyder in the second round. Schnyder defeated Gisela Dulko 6-4, 6-0.
(Agencies via Xinhua News Agency August 11, 2009)
