Clijsters Defeats Wozniacki to Win US Open

After more than two years off the tour to start a family, in only her third tournament back, Kim Clijsters defeated Caroline Wozniacki 7-5, 6-3 Sunday night to win her second US Open. Kim's biggest advantage was power, both on groundstrokes and on serve. For much of the first set, Kim wasn't fully dialed in, and Caroline's high topspins kept her from hitting her biggest shots, but as Kim started finding better depth, Caroline was forced to hit back somewhat lower and flatter, and that gave Kim the type of ball she could hit even harder. Matches often turn on what is, at first, a slight improvement by one player. Once that subtle tipping point is passed, a positive feedback loop kicks in, making everything easier for one player and harder for the other from then on.

Kim's game looks better than ever, with her quickness at 100%, her power and angles as strong as anyone's, and motherhood giving her the serenity she used to lack.

Caroline's game looks extremely promising. Without question, she played a very weak game to lose the first set, but that was her only major mental lapse. Caroline made a few unwise approaches to net and showed significant room for improvement on volleys and half volleys, but her willingness to play all parts of the court, along with her defensive skills and great range of spins, bodes well for her becoming an exceptionally complete player. Her main project going forward will be to develop bigger offensive weapons for when she, more judiciously than most, decides to use them.

• Kim Clijsters: Game Profile
• Caroline Wozniacki Photos: Gallery of Strokes