Clijsters claims dramatic victory
January 22, 2012 09:27:23 UK
Kim Clijsters completed a stunning comeback to defeat Li Na in three sets and book a spot in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.
The defending champion, who is 4.00 to go all the way this year, saved four match points and defied an ankle injury to come through an epic battle 4-6 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 in a repeat of last year's final.
I can't believe I won.
Kim Clijsters
Clijsters rolled her ankle in the seventh game of the first set but carried on after receiving treatment. Li went on to go 6-2 up in the second set tie-break and seemed certain to go on and avenge 2011's final defeat but choked, and Clijsters took full advantage.
The Belgian was delighted to make it through and will play either world number one Caroline Wozniacki or Jelena Jankovic in the last eight. Wozniacki is 1213.00 to win the tournament while Jankovic is at 1.001.
"I can't believe I won," admitted the 11th seed.
"I knew before the match it would be tough, physically and mentally. But I didn't expect this! It's amazing to get through and fight."
Clijsters has said this will be her last year on tour as she intends to retire at the end of 2012, and revealed this inspired her to carry on despite her injury.
She added: "A couple of times it went through my mind (to pull out).
"But I thought: 'I don't want to quit on my last time at the Australian Open'.
"I just kept fighting."
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