Kim Clijsters is monstered in Paris

13 April 2012

Second-seed Kim Clijsters became the biggest casualty of this year's French Open when she threw away a match point and lost to a Dutch woman from Monster, writes Chris Jones.

Little-known Arantxa Rus beat Clijsters 3-6, 7-5, 6-1 to book her place in the third round.

While the Belgian was heading out, Britain's Elena Baltacha took the first set of her second-round match against Vania King.

The British No1 wasted three set points against the American before winning 6-4.

With strong winds swirling around centre court, Clijsters committed a remarkable 65 unforced errors to ruin her bid for a first French title.

Her ankle, which she badly damaged at a family wedding, must have been a factor and Clijsters, who has won four Grand Slam titles, will now concentrate on her Wimbledon challenge while having constant treatment on the injury.

The world No2 came into Paris not having had any warm-up tournaments on clay due to the six weeks out with injury and Rus, ranked 114th, was able to gain confidence from all of her opponent's errors.

Clijsters was 5-2 up in the second set before falling apart against a 20-year-old making only her second appearance here.

She said: "I started doubting myself and that was the wrong attitude, particularly on clay, and she started to gain more confidence."

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