Clijsters downs Wozniacki in Doha WTA fina

Veteran Clijsters downs Wozniacki in Doha, but predicts great future for World No 1

Veteran Clijsters downs Wozniacki in Doha, but predicts great future for World No 1

Kim Clijsters followed her defence of the US Open title with a display of great resilience to recapture the WTA Championships title after an interval of seven years here yesterday.

Clijsters (27) powered her way to a 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 win over world number one Caroline Wozniacki, despite not having competed at all during the seven weeks since her US Open success because of a foot operation.

The Belgian also had to recover from the disappointment of seeing the 20-year-old Dane come back from a set and 1-4 down to take the match to an enthralling decider. "I'm very relieved it is over," said Clijsters after her two-hour 20-minute victory, "because it seemed it would never end."

Belgian Kim Clijsters returns to Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki during the WTA Championships final in Doha yesterday. Clijsters won 6-3, 5-7, 6-3.

"It was a very tough battle, and it was a fine advert for women's tennis. I'm glad I won but I don't know how many more years I will play, and I think Caroline has a great future ahead of her."

Asked if she were surprised to have won the title without having competed for seven weeks, Clijsters said: "In my first career I wouldn't have been able to do," referring to the days before the birth of her daughter Jada.

"But now I know myself better. I have had plenty of practice, so I already have a match rhythm a little bit, and I try to adjust as fast as possible after I got here."

Meanwhile Wozniacki who clinched the World No 1 ran king here, said: "It was still a fantastic week for me. I'd love to come back and try for this title again."