Kim Clijsters: stitched up and back in action

 

Originally published on: 27/10/10 16:27

World No.4 Kim Clijsters will play her first match since her US Open title defence six-weeks ago as she takes on Jelena Jankovic today.

Clijsters was forced to go under the knife shortly after her Flushing Meadows triumph to have a couple of moles removed.

“The dermatologist in Cincinnati wanted to have it removed straight away,” said Clijsters. “So I had one on the inside of my thigh removed and a mole underneath my right foot, which, you know, wasn’t going to take that long.

“The stitches were supposed to be in for ten days and all should have been fine. But because it got infected, I had to take the stitches out before the wound was closed, and it took longer to heal.

“I still have a little bit of a cut. It’s not bleeding or anything. It’s closed, but there’s a scab. It’s good now. Doesn’t hurt. But I’m glad it’s over with.”

But despite the recovery, Clijsters’ lack of match practice could be a major hindrance to her chances of adding to her two WTA Championships won in 2002 and 2003.

Luckily Clijsters, the No.3 seed in Doha, has been handed a potential reprieve in her opening group game against an stricken Jelena Jankovic. The Serb lost her opening match 6-3 6-0 against Vera Zvonareva and was noticeably struggling in the heat.

Clijsters, like many, rates the current world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki’s chances this week and admires the way the Dane goes about her business on court.

“She’s not like a Serena who will hit a lot winners and aces,” said Clijsters. “She really has to fight for almost every match she plays, which is a good thing. She brings beautiful tennis, I think, to the tour.”

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