Serena, Clijsters cruise

By Chris Davies
January 16 2003

Serena Williams overcame her poor first round performance and re-establishing herself in the main draw. Els Callens gave the world number 1 a lot of trouble last time they met but this was totally different.

Last time these two players met it was 7-6, 7-6 and which could have easily gone either way then Serena wouldn't be in this situation of winning the Slam!

Only one break in the first set at 3-2 for Williams to go 4-2 up and hold on for a 6-4 set. The first game of the second set Serena broke straight away then cruising to a 6-4, 6-0 victory.
Callens, 32 years old, did have the shots to beat the American but lacked in consistency. Serena Williams next faces Thailands Tamarine Tanasugarn in the 3rd round after defeating Jidkova in 3 sets.

The bottom half of the top quarter so Kim Clijsters completely crush Hungary's Pera Mandula in a very one sided match wining 6-0, 6-0 claiming the first 'Double Bagel' of the Open.

The comeback of Mary Pierce looked to be going even better when she clinched the first set against Chanda Rubin 6-0. Her powerful serve and groundstrokes completely rattled the 10th seed only to see Rubin come back powerful in the second set.

Rubin who missed last years event due to injury had her ankle strapped early in the second set. But she overcame an injury scare to wrap up success 0-6, 6-4, 6-2 and now faces Babara Schwartz.