Clijsters will face Ivanovic

Belgium's Kim Clijsters returns to Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro in their women's singles tennis match at the All England Lawn Tennis Club during the 2012 Olympics Games in London.

Belgium's Kim Clijsters returns to Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro in their women's singles tennis match at the All England Lawn Tennis Club during the 2012 Olympics Games in London.

Published Jul 31, 2012

Share

London - Four-time Grand Slam winner Kim Clijsters will face Serbia's Ana Ivanovic in a battle of former world number ones in the third round of the Olympics at Wimbledon.

Clijsters is playing the penultimate tournament of her career as she prepares to retire for the second and final time after next month's US Open.

The 29-year-old, competing in the Olympics for the first time, remains on course to fulfill that dream after a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro in the second round on Monday.

Clijsters can expect a tougher challenge from her next opponent, Serbian 11th seed Ivanovic, who is also taking part in her first Olympics.

Ivanovic, the 2008 French Open winner, moved into the last 16 with a 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) victory over Britain's Elena Baltacha.

Clijsters has won all five of her previous meetings with Ivanovic, but she is prepared for a stern test when she meets her old friend again.

“It will be a tough one. Ana is a good player, she's a good friend as well and we've been playing for many years,” Clijsters said.

“Usually if I don't play her I root for her because I always want her to do well.

“We know each other pretty well and it's exciting to play each other in this kind of atmosphere. I'm going to enjoy this one.” - Sapa-AFP

Related Topics: