Clijsters comeback rolls on towards US Open Final

US Open, Women’s Semi Finals
Yanina Wickmayer BEL v Caroline Wozniacki DEN (9)
Kim Clijsters BEL v Serena Williams USA (2)

There have been two wonderful stories surrounding this year’s Women’s US Open at Flushing Meadows, New York. The first is the remarkable comeback of Kim Clijsters. The Belgian star officially retired from the game two years ago at the young age of 23. She made a return to the game after reciecing an invitation to play at Wimbledon this year, and although she has yet to officially rejoin the WPA, her form through the US Open this year shows that she still has immense passion and flair for the game. Her work ethic on the court has always been a major factor in her success, and despite having not played that much competitive, world class tennis since her return, it is hard to see that she has even been away. She faces off against Serena Williams in the semi final match, and making a final appearance at the US Open, the scene of her one and only Grand Slam title in 2005, would be something of a fairy tale.

The other story of the US Open was the remarkable run of American player Melanie Oudin’s run, which saw her defeat four Russians along the way including Elena Dementieva and Maria Sharapova. Her run, in what is only her fourth Grand Slam event, was cut short by Danish hopeful Caroline Wozniacki. The 19 year old from Denmark beat Oudin 6-2 6-2 to reach her first Grand Slam semi final. Wozniakiacki had to come through a tough match in the fourth round against Svetlana Kuznetsova, but has otherwise not faced too many problems. She reached the fourth round at Wimbledon this year, and had equalled her best place in a Grand Slam event until now.

In the semi final, Wozniacki, the ninth overall seed, will meet unseeded Yanina Wickmayer, another Belgian who will be hoping to see fellow compatriot Clijsters in the final. This by far the deepest she has gone in a Grand Slam tournament, her best showing before having been a second round exit at Roland Garros earlier this year. The semi final draw ensures that there will be a Grand Slam debutant this year, meeting a previous US Open winner. Clear favourite for the title though, will be Serena Williams. She has been there and done it three times before already and is ranked the number two seed in the tournament. Sensible heads will be following her progress, while the dreamers will cheering on Clijsters to reach the US Open Final.

Match Odds
Serena Williams – 2/5 at Sporting Bet
Kim Clijsters – 9/4 at Victor Chandler

Yanina Wickmayer – 10/3 at BetFred
Caroline Wozniacki – 1/4 at SkyBet

Women’s 2009 US Open Winner
Serena Williams – 8/15 at SportingBet
Kim Clijsters – 19/5 at Boylesports
Caroline Wozniacki – 11/2 at Victor Chandler
Yanina Wickmayer – 33/1 at 888Sport

Betting Tip. Serena Williams, a three times winner of the US Open, is heavily involved in both singles and doubles again this year at the US Open and that could give Clijsters a little physical edge. It would truly be a remarkable story of sporting comeback. Clijsters has already disposed of the one Williams sister, Venus in the fourth round, only dropping four games in the entire match. It’s not often that one leans towards a romantic bet as opposed to head strong one, but in this case it is hard not to back Clijsters.
Ranked player Wozniacki is more favoured by the bookies to turn over Wickmayer, and there’s not much to suggest that it won’t happen. Despite being relative unknowns on the circuit, when it comes to making the bet, it will be good to trust the current rankings.

Interesting Other Bets:
Wozniacki/Clijsters Final – 11/4 at BetFair
Clijsters/Nadal Tournament Winning Double – 28/1 at BetFair