Clijsters surprised by progress

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:48

Playing on a wild card in just her third tournament since coming out of retirement having become a mother for the first time, Clijsters breezed past China’s 18th seed Li Na in just 63 minutes, winning 6-2 6-4 to set up a mouth-watering last-four clash with defending champion Serena Williams.

“I never had the mentality before the tournament that I would get to a semi-final or final at the grand slams,” Clijsters said.

“I definitely didn’t have that idea but something switched with me after Toronto (her second tournament back) where I felt like ‘Okay, I can compete with these girls’, because that was obviously a big question in my mind.

“Although I was hitting the balls really good in practice and I felt physically I was doing well you still want to know what it’s like to play against those girls and get a feel for how the level has changed.

“That was something I didn’t know, so I am surprised that I’m sitting here right now but I’m very happy.”

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