Clijsters claims Stanford title
Monday, 31 July 2006 10:05Top seed Kim Clijsters won her fourth Bank of the West Classic title with a 6-4 6-2 victory over second seed Patty Schnyder in Sunday's final.
Rarely threatened during the contest, the Belgian tuned up for the defence of her US Open crown next month with an authoritative display.
Clijsters registered 19 winners to only eight from Schnyder and dominated on her service games, never facing a break point and winning 90 percent of her first serve points.
She tortured Schnyder by attacking the left-hander's backhand with sliced serves out wide.
'It was important to make first serves because she tries to play angles and build up her points,' Clijsters said.
The left-handed Schnyder attempted to employ an aggressive approach against Clijsters but the move backfired as the Belgian proved to be up to the task.
'I never felt like I was in the match,' said the Schnyder. 'She keeps pushing you.'
Last season, world number two Clijsters won four titles on US hard courts during the summer, including her first grand slam title at Flushing Meadows.
After her recent disappointment on clay and grass, Clijsters believes her best chance of winning another grand slam will be on hard courts.
'This is the season I look forward to the most,' she said.
'Movement wise on hard courts, I feel much more comfortable than on any other surface.'
