The remarkable story of Kim Clijsters’ comeback return keeps getting better by the day.
The 2005 former champion overcame two years of retirement, thirty-six hours of rain, and a highly controversial Serena Williams to reach the 2009 US Open women’s final on Saturday.
Clijsters played near perfect tennis against Williams after a prolonged rain delay forced the semifinals into Saturday. She refused to let Williams dictate play and took advantage of Serena’s failing second serve to reach the final in straight sets 6-4, 7-5.
The match ended bizarrely when on match point Serena Williams received a code violation after profanely threatening a lineswoman who called her on a foot fault. Williams had previously received a warning at the end of the opening set because of racquet abuse, so her second offense resulted in the loss of a point.
Afterward, Clijsters commented on whether Serena’s unsportsmanlike outburst took away from her special moment of reaching the final.
“Maybe a little out of today’s match just because you want to finish that last point,” Clijsters said. “It’s a little bit unfortunate that I didn’t have that, but it’s not going to take anything away from tomorrow’s match or how special that would be for me, and for both of us.”
Caroline Wozniacki advanced into the final shortly thereafter after beating Yanina Wickmayer 6-3, 6-3 in Louis Armstrong Stadium. Wozniacki is the first Dane, male or female, to reach the final at a major in the Open Era. She has won the most matches on Tour so far this season (62), followed by Dinara Safina (54) and Elena Dementieva (51).
The women’s final will be held in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday evening.
On the Baseline’s live coverage of the 2009 US Open is brought to you by Grand Slam Tennis Tours.
It should read ‘first Dane IN THE OPEN ERA’ – Kurt Nielsen reached the mens’ final in Wimbledon twice, back in th fifties
Thank you, Steen, for pointing out that correction. The edit has been made.