• WTA Tour

Clijsters in US Open fitness race

ESPN staff
August 10, 2011
Kim Clijsters is struggling with an abdominal injury © Getty Images
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Kim Clijsters is a major doubt to defend her US Open title after suffering a stomach injury at the Rogers Cup in Toronto.

The world No. 2 was leading 6-3 1-2 in her first-round match against Zheng Jie when she retired hurt. Scans have revealed a partial tear in her left abdomen.

"During my warm-up I felt my left stomach muscle really, really tight," Clijsters said."Before the match I got taped to try and protect the muscle as much as possible, but it just went worse and worse.

"I already had an ultrasound here on-site, and I have a partial tear in my left stomach muscle. I still have a few weeks until [the US Open] so will try to do everything to obviously be ready."

Three-time US Open champion Clijsters won the Australian Open in January, but an ankle injury disrupted her preparations for the French Open and she was forced to miss Wimbledon after aggravating the problem.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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