Tennis

Kim's words ease pain for Zvonareva

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-09-13 11:29

Kim Clijsters (L) of Belgium stands with Vera Zvonareva of Russia for the trophy ceremony after Clijsters won their women's finals match at the US Open tennis tournament in New York, September 11, 2010. [Photo/Agencies]

Some words of consolation from US Open champion Kim Clijsters made the bitter pill of a second successive Grand Slam final defeat easier to swallow for Vera Zvonareva.

The Russian burst into tears in front of packed Arthur Ashe Stadium while Clijsters captured her third career Grand Slam title in under an hour on Saturday.

Clijsters, who lost four Grand Slam finals from 2001 to 2004 before winning her first of three US Open titles in 2005, told the No 7 seed that her time would come in a Grand Slam final.

"When she told me that I was like, 'OK, it was just two for me. That's OK, it's not too bad,'" said Zvonareva, who lost in similar fashion to Serena Williams in July's Wimbledon final.

Vera Zvonareva of Russia poses with her plaque after losing her women's finals match to Kim Clijsters of Belgium during the US Open tennis tournament in New York, September 11, 2010. [Photo/Agencies]

"Sometimes you can be disappointed and think I had two chances and I didn't use them. But that's how it goes. It's just a great experience for me."

Zvonareva looked a shadow of the player that knocked No 1 seed Caroline Wozniacki out of the tournament in straight sets the previous day.

She was sluggish throughout and scored a mere 31 points in a match that proved a damp squib for the expectant crowd, lasting 15 games and just 59 minutes.

Reuters