The remarkable career of Kim Clijsters came to a disappointing close Wednesday, as the 25th seed lost to 18-year-old Laura Robson, 7-6(5), 7-6(5), in the second round of the 2012 U.S. Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Robson's advances to the third round where she will play Na Li, who knocked off Casey Dellacqua, 6-4, 6-4.
The loss was Clijsters first in Flushing Meadows, NY since the '03 finals. Clijsters won the '05 crown then again in '09 and '10 after coming out of retirement. Last year, she did not participate because of an injury. Before this year's Open, Clijsters made it clear this would be her last tournament.
"This completely feels like the perfect place to retire," Clijsters said immediately after the match. "I just wish it wasn't today."
Other matches to go final on the women's side are:
- Victoria Azarenka def. Kirsten Flipkens, 6-2, 6-2
- Petra Kvitova def. Alize Cornet, 6-4, 6-3
- Nadia Petrova def. Simona Halep, 6-1, 6-1
- Varvara Lepchenko def. Anastasia Rodionova, 6-2, 6-2
- Jie Zheng def. Magdalena Rybarikova, 6-3, 6-1
- Kristina Mladenovic def. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, 6-1, 6-2
- Mallory Burdette def. Lucie Hradecka, 6-2, 6-4
- Lucie Safarova def. Aleksandra Wozniak, 6-5, 4-6, 6-2
- Pauline Parmentier def. Yanina Wickmayer, 7-6 (7), 6-3
- Anna Tatishvili def. Sorana Cirstea, 6-7 (7), 6-1, 6-2
- Mandy Minella def. Kristyna Pliskova, 6-4, 6-4
Currently in progress, Maria Sharapova is facing Lourdes Dominguez Lino.,
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