Clijsters loses in 3 sets in opener at Indian Wells

Sports

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Kim Clijsters lost in three sets in her first-round match Thursday at the BNP Paribas Open.

She was beaten 6-1, 2-6, 6-2 by Katerina Siniakova, a three-time major doubles champion from Czech Republic. Siniakova teamed with countrywoman Barbora Krejcikova to win a gold medal in doubles at the Tokyo Olympics.

Clijsters, a 38-year-old Hall of Famer on the comeback trail, also lost in the first round at the WTA Tour stop in Chicago last week. The four-time major champion and mother of three originally came back last year, but her attempt was interrupted by knee surgery last October and a bout with COVID-19 in January.

Clijsters committed nine double faults against Siniakova, who converted six of nine break points in the match. Clijsters received a wild-card into the tournament she won in 2005 and 2003. She was runner-up to Serena Williams in 2001.

On the men’s side, five Americans advanced at the combined ATP and WTA event.

Marcos Giron defeated Botic van de Zandschulp, 6-7 (9), 6-2, 6-4, and Maxime Cressy got by Laslo Dere, 6-7 (3), 6-1, 7-5. Tennys Sandgren beat Thiago Monteiro, 6-4, 6-3, and Mackenzie McDonald defeated James Duckworth, 6-3, 6-3. Tommy Paul beat 40-year-old Feliciano Lopez, 6-3, 7-6 (3).

Veteran Sam Querrey lost to Daniel Altmaier, 6-2, 6-4.

Articles You May Like

Trump suggests migrants murder as ‘it’s in their genes’
Crowd shout ‘fight, fight, fight’ as Trump returns to site of failed assassination attempt
Lammy defends ‘young’ Labour government as poll shows most people think they are sleazy
Disfigured actor hoping new film changes how people see him and his condition
Boxing results: Nick Ball and Janibek Alimkhanuly score KOs, retain titles