Clijsters wins a thriller in a 3rd set tie breaker.

Kim Clijsters denied Justine Henin a dream return to the WTA Tour with victory in Saturday’s final of the Brisbane International.

Clijsters, who made her own impressive comeback last summer when she captured the US Open title, eventually triumphed 6-3 4-6 7-6 (8/6) but only after a superb fightback from her Belgian compatriot, playing in her first WTA tournament in 20 months following a spell in retirement.

Henin trailed by a set and 3-0 but actually fought back to hold match points in the decider.

However, Clijsters forced the match into a final-set tie-break and finally looksed set for victory when she led it 5-1.

Still Henin was not done though and she hit back to square the breaker at 6-6 before losing the next two points, clinching victory courtesy of a double fault from the former world number one.

This final was representative of the highest level of Women’s tennis, and both players must be considered as the favourites to either win or make the finals of all the 2010 Grand Slams.

Look for these talented Ladies in 2009.

Alyona BondarenkoNicole VaidisovaKarolina SpremTheir victory as doubles champions at the 2008 Australian Open went almost unnoticed. The Ukrainian sisters Alyona and Kateryna Bondarenko were only the second sister act to ever win the Aussie Open, the Williams sisters were the others. Both are playing singles, Alyona is ranked 19th. and is looking forward to the new season. She and her younger sister will defend their title in Australia, but Katya may have to qualify for participation in the singles event. This pair of beauties are from Ukraine, and are as different as any pair of sisters can be. Alyona is blond, outgoing, fashion conscious, and a party animal, whereas Katya is reserved, a sports jock, brunette and rather shy at times. Alyona complains that many times she goes alone to a party because her sister begs off at the last moment in favour of reading a book or something equally as trivial. They are coached and managed by their mother, who keeps them on a tight training routine. They practise and train together for 3 hours every day except Sundays. Both sisters are excellent volleyers, and Alyona at 24 is stronger than Katya. She is ready to break into the top ten, and a victory over a couple of higher seeded players would rocket her career forward. They are both very competitive by nature, and have a taste of what success can bring to their family. Watch for them in the doubles event, but also keep an eye on Alyona in the singles.
Nicole Vaidisova, a graduate of the Nick Bolliteri Academy in Florida, is a teenager with a great future.Everytime I watch her play I am reminded of Maria Sharapova, she does not grunt like Maria, nor does she have Maria’s powerful ground strokes yet, but when she is on court there is a resemblance. Nicole has won 6 WTA titles and is ranked #12. She is from the Czech Republic, was born in Germany, and lives in Bradenton Florida. She speaks fluent English with no trace of an accent, and both German and Czech. She is a spokesperson for Reebok, and is featured in several of their ads, along with Jelena Jankovic and Amelie Mauresmo. Not bad company for an 19 year old rising star. Nicole’s season ended last month in Moscow, and she will take a well earned break which will include a visit home for the holidays. She is looking forward to the 2009 season, and especially to the first Grand Slam event in Melbourne in January.
My third choice of players to watch will never make it to the top ten, may never win a WTA title or beat a high ranked player, but Croatian player Karolina Sprem deserves recognition for the devotion she shows, and her determination to try her best against tough opponents. She has won 7 times at the ITF level, but has yet to break into the big time on the WTA stage. She has been surrounded by controversy with her choice of coach, she had a dispute with an umpire at Wimbledon during a match against Venus, the umpire was subsequently fired, and yet she still has a positive attitude about her game. She has a new coach, a new sponsor and maybe a win is in her future.