Tennis

Clijsters fights back for Cincinnati title

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-08-16 09:44

Kim Clijsters of Belgium poses with her trophy after defeating Maria Sharapova of Russia in the Cincinnati Open women's tennis singles final in Cincinnati, Ohio August 15, 2010. Clijsters beat Sharapova 2-6, 7-6(4), 6-2.  [Photo/Agencies]

MASON, Ohio - Kim Clijsters produced a remarkable rain-assisted comeback to beat Maria Sharapova 2-6 7-6 6-2 and win the Cincinnati Open on Sunday.

Sharapova had three championship points at 5-3 in the second set before rain led to a 74-minute break, leaving the Russian just two points from victory.

Clijsters came out from the break a different player to the one who had looked clearly second best.

The 27-year-old held her serve and promptly broke Sharapova before serving out to take the game into a tiebreak.

Once again, Clijsters had to claw her way back, this time from a 3-0 deficit, before she taking the tiebreak 7-4.

Sharapova double-faulted to give Clijsters a break in the third game of the final set and then the Russian took a medical time-out to have attention for a foot problem.

But although Clijsters showed nerves at the end, failing to win on three title points, the momentum had clearly shifted towards the Belgian.

The $350,000 prize was Clijster's 38th WTA win and her fourth victory since returning to the sport after a two-year maternity break.

Clijsters returned to the tour at this event a year ago and went on to win the U.S. Open, the Brisbane International and the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami.