Kim Clijsters Cruises Into Miami Fourth Round

By Richard Pagliaro
Photos ©Henk Abbink

(March 28, 2010) MIAMI — Motherhood has made Kim Clijsters a morning person and it didn't take her long to deliver an abrupt wake-up call to Shahar Peer today.

Clijsters transformed the Crandon Park court into her own personal play pen, winning nine consecutive games to commence a 6-0, 6-1 thumping of Peer in a match that spanned 50 minutes, but felt about as long as an episdoe of Dora the Explorer.



With daughter Jada watching from the stands, Clijsters gave Peer her version of a tennis time out in rendering the 20th-ranked Israeli helpless.

It was Clijsters' 450th career victory, vaulted her into the fourth round for the seventh time in eight appearances and earned the approval of two-year-old Jada, who waved to her famous mom end clapped enthusiastically at the conclusion of the match.

The rare opportunity to play in front of Jada —  combined with the desire to make sure her daughter made it make to the hotel for the start of nap time — seemed to motivate tennis' top working mom, whose 27 career hard-court titles is most among active women.

"It's one of the only times she comes," Clijsters said looking up at her daughter. "We were able to fit it into the schedule and now she has to go home and go to sleep."

The tournament has been child's play so far for Clijsters, who has dropped just three games in two tournament wins. Clijsters called the level she's played in Miami her best tennis of the season.

"I think these last two, what I'm probably most happy about is the way I mentally just stayed really focused," Clijsters said. "I think in Brisbane and Australia I played good tennis and high level tennis, but I think there was always a bit of a dip in those matches. I think that's something that's really a lot better now, is that I can really  just mentally, even when things are not going as well or when I'm not feeling the ball as well, I just have a lot more of a positive attitude about it instead of maybe doubting yourself a little bit more or, yeah, start worrying a little bit. I think it's something that I feel a lot more confident in that way.  Then again, you know, I think it's also by the losses I've had.  I think it also helps you by maintaining that attitude, I think."

The 14th-seeded Belgian is one of four former champions still standing in the draw — Venus Williams, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Victoria Azarenka are the others — and could face reigning champion Azarenka in what could be a crackling baseline clash if the fourth-seeded Belarusian beats left-hander Lucie Safarova later today.

"They're all tough. I mean, you know, obviously the closer you get towards the end of the tournament every match is gonna be tough," Clijsters said. "And especially in my situation now too because, I feel like in practice I've been really focusing on just my game and just trying to get, you know, back into where I feel comfortable. So that's what I'm focusing on, is really on myself and trying to just, you know, maintain this feeling that I've been having. So you don't really want to get too influenced by your opponents, I think.  Obviously there are some tactics that you take, you know, on court with you that you have in the back of your head. But I think I will always start with with my strengths and then if that doesn't work, if I feel that my opponent has an answer to everything that I'm doing, then you'll try to mix it up."

Clijsters quickly solidified her status as a champion when she conquered defending champion Serena Williams and Caroline Wozniacki in succession to capture the 2009 US Open in just her third tournament of her comeback.

Traveling the Tour as a mom has given Clijsters a sense of perspective as well as more carry-on baggage.

"(There is a) lot more luggage and you know, all that stuff. But it's fun," Clijsters said. "There's obviously a lot of surprises.  I think as, you know, first time mother, I think it's always a lot of surprises will happen anyway. But then being on the road and obviously when they get sick once in a while, those are little things that you worry a little bit more.  You obviously worry more than, you know, a few years ago. But it's good.  I mean, I enjoy taking care of her when I don't have to be here at the courts and go home.  You know, I look forward to it every day. To me, it's    the best part of my life is being a mother, so it's something that I really love."