Clijsters ready for title defence
August 29, 2010 14:54:09 UK
Belgium's Kim Clijsters begins the defence of her US Open title at Flushing Meadows tomorrow and insists she is relishing the pressure that comes with being champion.
Twelve months ago Clijsters completed a remarkable return to the sport after previously retiring in 2007, beating Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki in the final.
Clijsters become the first mother to win a Grand Slam since Evonne Goolagong Cawley beat Chris Evert to win Wimbledon in 1980.
I don't feel any more pressure...pressure is a good thing.
Kim Clijsters
A year on, Wozniacki is the top seed in New York in the absence of injured world number one Serena Williams, but Clijsters' greater experience makes her the favourite to win a third US Open title.
Wozniacki is currently 2.10 to win the US Open outright while Clijsters is available at 2.75.
"My attitude is not any different compared to last year," Clijsters said.
"Obviously last year had a few more unanswered questions but I think this year I know what I have to do if I want to try to do as well as I did last year.
"I don't feel any more pressure...pressure is a good thing. Pressure is a sign they're putting you in the spot of maybe being one of the favourites. So I'm excited to be back to defend my title.
Wozniacki is top seed at this year's US Open.Clijsters believes Wozniacki deserves to be the top seed in this year's tournament.
"She's a great player, you don't get there by luck or by a wild card or anything," added Clijsters, who was actually a wild card herself when winning here last year.
"She definitely deserves to be up there. Her consistency is one of her strengths. I think she moves well, anticipates well. She can read a game, an opponent's game, really well.
"I think that's something that, for such a young girl and for someone who hasn't had so many experiences yet, she does really well.
Clijsters takes on Greta Arn in her round one match on Monday, Clijsters is heavily fancied at 1.01 to win the match while Arn can be backed at 15.00.
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