Clijsters Into 3rd Round At Australian Open

Melbourne, Australia, Jan 18: Nearly 10 years after their first meeting on the WTA Tour, Kim Clijsters has beaten Stephanie Fortez Gacon of France 6-0, 6-1 in a second-round match Wednesday at the Australian Open.

Defending Australian Open champion Clijsters retired last week in the semifinals at the Sydney International with a left hip injury, but appeared to move well Wednesday in winning her match on Rod Laver Arena.

Clijsters won the first set in 22 minutes when Fortez Gacon picked up just 10 points.

Clijsters, who beat Fortez Gacon 6-2, 6-3 at Miami in 2002 in their only previous head-to-head match, has won four Grand Slam singles titles since, including her victory last year at Melbourne Park over Li Na and three U.S. Open championships.