Sony Ericsson WTA Tour : 2006


Clijsters Battles Through to the Quarterfinals at Antwerp

World No.1 and Belgian favorite battled through to the quarterfinals at the $600,000 Proximus Diamond Games with a 46 76(4) 75 win over an in-form Tatiana Golovin

Clijsters, a one-time champion in Antwerp in 2004, was returning to action after suffering a right ankle sprain that forced her retirement in the semifinals at the Australian Open two weeks ago and her withdrawal from the Paris [Indoors] last week.

Golovin was a tough draw for the Belgian star's opening match as the French teen was riding high on confidence after impressive results last week in Paris, where she reached the final four. She notched her fourth career Top 10 win over world No.7 Nadia Petrova, saving a match point, and led eventual champion Amelie Mauresmo a set and 4-2 before falling 67(5) 75 62 in the semis.

After her triumph over Golovin, tournament organizers and fans showed their appreciation for their national star with an on-court presentation that included video highlights of Clijsters' career such as her first Grand Slam singles title win at the 2005 US Open.

Clijsters will now face another formidable teen, 19-year-old Russina Dinara Safina, in the quarterfinals.


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