Robson ends illustrious career of Kim Clijsters
29th August 2012Laura Robson secured possibly her greatest victory to date last night as she defeated Kim Clijsters in New York to bring the curtain down on the career of the three-time champion.
The British teenager won 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-5) to reach the third round of the US Open at Flushing Meadows.
And Robson’s triumph marked the end for Clijsters not just at this tournament but also in professional singles, with the 29-year-old having already announced this year’s US Open would be her final event.
The British no.3 will meet China's ninth seed Li Na in round three.
'It was such a good atmosphere,' said Robson.
'I didn't have any expectations because she's so experienced.
'I've had so many tough matches against top players that I knew the level was there, I just had to keep it for the whole match.
'Kim has been such a great player for so many years and a role model for all the younger girls coming up.'
Clijsters, the former world no.1, has a soft spot for the US Open, having won the tournament three times.
Her only other Grand Slam victory came in the Australian Open last year.
'This completely feels like the perfect place to retire,' she said.
'I just wish it wasn't today but there was no doubt in my mind to pick a tournament to play my last singles match.'