Davenport reached next round of Swisscom Challenge

By Etienne Stekelenburg
October 19 2002

Kim Clijsters from Belgium was defeated in two sets by Lindsay Davenport 3:6 6:7 (5) at the Swisscom Challenge and realizes it’s hard to stay at the top of the WTA ranking. After the match Clijsters said that its tough to reach the top but even more difficult to maintain that position.

After winning a Porsche at Filderstadt last week Clijsters told the press that she had a little cold and she felt tired. She added that she had played to much tennis and that she had to many matches.

Last year the 19 years old Kim Clijsters from Bree Belgium made her breakthrough and was ranked 5th in November 2001. “It is tough to stay on top in this sport. I know everyone says it is tough to climb through to the top, but it is difficult in the second year. But I am still doing okay and it is a matter of experience now”.

“I started the year okay, but then had a down period. Now I feel I am coming back up again. It is not easy to stay in the top ten, but I am still there so that's not so bad”, Clijsters said who owns 6 WTA tournament titles.

The 26-year-old Californian Lindsay Davenport is working on her comeback after injuries and a long time of rest. “I still feel strange now, being ranked only down at number 10,” said Davenport. “But I guess I will get used to it in the end. Best of all, I'd like to win a few tournaments and climb right back. I still feel like I am really the number one.”

Davenport will be up against Justine Henin who defeated Swiss Wild Card Marie-Gaïané Mikaelian.