• Australian Open

Now you can call me 'Aussie Kim' - Clijsters

ESPN staff
January 29, 2011
Kim Clijsters admitted Li Na was a tough opponent © Getty Images
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Kim Clijsters believes she has finally earned the nickname 'Aussie Kim' after beating Li Na to claim the Australian Open title.

The No. 3 seed was the favourite to claim her fourth grand slam in Melbourne, and despite going a set down, Clijsters fought back to clinch a 3-6 6-3 6-3 victory.

Li, the first Chinese player to reach a grand slam final, appeared overawed by the enormity of the occasion in the opening stages, but Clijsters admitted she was on the back foot for much of the match and was relieved to be able to come through.

"I'm a little shaky still," Clijsters said. "Li Na was definitely a very tough competitor. She really brought it to me at the start of the rallies. I was on the back foot and leaning back and I don't like that.

"During the first set, I thought 'Wow! This is going too fast for me!' It was tough. I felt in the second set she was getting a bit nervous and I was just happy I was able to pull it off in the end.

"Li and I have played some amazing matches over a number of years and I hope we can play many more grand slam finals in the future."

Clijsters has always been a crowd favourite in Melbourne, and was known as 'Aussie Kim' during her relationship with Australian No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt.

"I finally feel like you guys can call me Aussie Kim because I won the title," she told the crowd in Rod Laver Arena.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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