Kim Clijsters Overcomes Four-Game Slide, Wins First-Round Match

NEW YORK -- As far as scares go, this could have gone far worse for Kim Clijsters. The defending U.S. Open champion overcame a quartet of shaky games in the second set, but rebounded in time for a 6-0, 7-5 victory over Greta Arn.

After an easy shutout opening set for Clijsters, it appeared the Belgian would turn her first round match into the equivalent of a short practice without breaking a sweat. But in a surprise that had many observers scrambling for their seats at Ashe Stadium, Arn took leads of 4-0 and 5-3 in the second. Clijsters struggled with her serve in the second set, double-faulting twice while losing three games on her serve.

However, the No. 2 regained her composure to move within 4-3. After Arn won the next game, Clijsters won the last four games of the match.

"I lost my positioning and lost my footing for a few games," Clijsters said after the match. "Playing with and against the wind was a struggle. She really started to put the pressure on me. When that happens, you try to analyze why you've lost the last four games and you try to change little things. You have to let the ball bounce, not rush your shots, and make sure your feet keep moving."

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Playing the best tennis of her career, Arn was not your typical opening round cakewalk for a defending champ. At Wimbledon this summer, the 31-year-old Arn made it to the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career. She defeated Katereyna Bondarenko and Alicia Molik before losing to Marian Bartoli in the third round, so she had the game and the experience to handle the pressure of facing Clijsters on Flushing Meadows' center court.

Clijsters will face Sally Peers of Austria in the second round. The 19-year-old Peers told reporters today that she has an autographed picture of Clijsters in her room that she obtained when she was ten years old. Clijsters did not know much about her next opponent, but was humbled when the story was relayed to her.

"Hopefully not Wednesday," the 27-year-old Clijsters said with a smile, "but after that I hope she'll have a great career. I remember when I was the young girl coming up. I remember playing Serena on Armstrong Stadium when I was 18 years old and up in the third set. You're so eager and ready to go. You have nothing to lose. I have to keep my focus because I know it will be a tough match."

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