Clijsters takes Belgium to a 2-0 lead over USA
20th July 2006
(Ostend, Belgium) Kim Clijsters defeated Jamea Jackson in three sets to give Belgium a 2-0 lead in the Fed Cup tie against the United States of America. The Belgian, who wants to quit tennis next year, needed three sets to overcome the young and promising Jackson from Bradenton, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.
Clijsters took a 3-1 lead in the first set but saw how Jackson was working her way along side of the Belgian No. 2 in the world. Jackson took a 4-3 lead when she broke Clijsters and held on to her own service games to win the first set 6-4.
In the second set again Clijsters got a 3-1 lead but saw her service game go to the American in the fifth game. Clijsters, however, managed to break right back for 4-2 and held on to her own game taking the 5-2 lead. Jackson could not prevent Clijsters from breaking her service game again, and the Belgian took the second set, 6-2.Jamea Jackson
Clijsters took a 4-1 lead in the third and final set and held a break point for 5-1 twice. With hitting a return forehand winner, she broke Jackson’s service and could finish the match on her own service game. After she hit a forehand winner on 30-all, Clijsters reached her first match point, but her dropshot landed wide.
With another winner, she reached her second match point. This time she took it after Jackson hit her return long. Clijsters took Belgium to a 2-0 lead in the tie with ending the match, 4-6, 6-2, and 6-1. She will face Jill Craybas in the match on Sunday.
According to Carl Maes Jackson was better than Clijsters today. “Jackson was playing ‘Kim’s Game’, so she had to adjust her game and that is something that is not easy to do for Kim,” Clijsters’ ex-coach said.
“I was really nervous for the match of today,” Clijsters said.
Technorati Tags: Fed Cup 2006, fed cup, jamea jackson, kim clijsters, match point, ostend belgium, service games