Kim Clijsters
«NEWS «2010 AEGON «Players @Devonshire Park, Eastbourne
The amicable ex-Eastbourne champion is eager to
rediscover her grass court form at Devonshire Park among a tough draw as she prepares for SW19.
Started the 2010 campaign in emphatic fashion, by capturing the Auckland Open in a third set tiebreak against fellow Belgian Justine Henin.
And five days after winning her second title of the season - the 2010 Miami Sony Ericsson Open - the former world no1 was bounced out by Spanish qualifier Beatriz García Vidagany in the second round at Marbella, Spain.
It is astonishing that a player of the calibre and with such experience can tumble from destroying Venus Williams to suffering such stunning loss to a WTA Tour no-one just a few days later.
Clijsters has not played on the WTA Tour since her Fed Cup singles victory for Belgium against Estonia's Maret Ani in April 2010, so will be missing match practice as well as sharpness on grass.
Last played on grass in 2006, where she was halted by eventual champion Justine Henin at Eastbourne and also fellow to her compatriot at the semi-finals of Wimbledon.
Missed the 2010 French Open.
Chances of winning | Capable of winning the 2010, but lack of recent matches will mean that other grass court experts should have the edge over Clijsters. Realistically, a semi-final place would be a moral victory.
Factfile
Kim
Clijsters
Date of
birth: 8 June 1982
Birthplace: Bilzen, Belgium
Residence: Bree, Belgium
Height: 5'9'' (174 cm)
Weight:150 lbs (68 kg)
Turned Pro: 1997
Plays: Right-handed
Past five years @Devonshire Park
06 - semi-final
05 - champion
Eastbourne record: Won 7 Lost 1