Clijsters can go out on high at US Open despite tough draw

Kim Clijsters has not lost a match at the US Open for nine years and so it would be somewhat fitting if she retired on the back of another Flushing Meadows success at 25/1.

Clijsters has already indicated that she will retire from the game for a second time after the Grand Slam, as she is too old to play the type of physical tennis that she wants to.

The playing schedule of the Belgian has been somewhat limited in 2012, as she has only played in six tournaments and no tune-up events in the present hard-court stretch to prepare for the US Open.

Clijsters has not reached a final all year, but it is hard to back against a player with such fond memories of the Grand Slam.

Belgian compatriot Justine Henin was the last player to beat Clijsters at Flushing Meadows in 2003 and she has picked up the title in all of her three appearances since.

Because of her lack of tournaments in the last 18 months, Clijsters is only seeded 23rd at the US Open and this is a part of the reason why her draw looks especially tough.

Britain’s Laura Robson has been known to make life difficult for top seeds at Grand Slams in the past and she is a possible second-round opponent.

From then on Clijsters arguably fancies a possible tournament winner in each round, with her opposition potentially Na Li, Sam Stosur, world number one Victoria Azarenka, Maria Sharapova and then Serena Williams in the final.

However, this will not put off Clijsters, as she had to beat a stellar field when returning from her first retirement to win the US Open in 2009.

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