Clijsters and Mauresmo shut out the Swiss

Belgian Kim Clijsters and France’s Amelie Mauresmo will face off in the Australian Open semi-finals after they knocked out Switzerland’s dynamic duo Martina Hingis and Patty Schnyder in their respective quarter-finals on Rod Laver Arena this afternoon.

Mauresmo overcame a sluggish start to power through the last nine games consecutively, demolishing Schnyder 6-3 6-0 in just 52 minutes.

After stumbling on serve to level the first set at 3-3, the powerful Frenchwoman dominated the remainder of the match, as Schnyder embarrassingly disintegrated, committing a total of 28 unforced errors in only 15 games.

In the other quarter-final, the enticing match-up between Hingis and Clijsters lived up to all the pre-contest billing, with the former world no. 1 pushing the Belgian to three tough sets before surrendering 3-6 6-2 4-6.

Facing her first real Grand Slam test against someone of tennis pedigree, Hingis began tentatively, especially on serve, while Clijsters attacked confidently, her groundstrokes regularly finding their mark. The Belgian won the opening four games before Hingis steadied, recovering one of the breaks, but not both, conceding the first set 6-3.

Up 40-love in the opening game of the second set, the Swiss Miss somehow managed to drop serve, falling behind 2-0 and seemingly out of contention. But with the pride of a champion, Hingis fought her way back into the match, playing with more authority and refusing to let Clijsters’ forehand dictate terms.

Hingis’ revivival also coincided with a slump in the Belgian’s game, allowing the former Australian Open champ to capture the next six games straight and enter the third set with all the momentum.

The pair both faltered early in the deciding set, but ultimately Hingis’ lack of match fitness was telling and despite suffering from her own ailments- not to mention 49 unforced errors- Clijsters broke again and went on to take the match in an hour and 42 minutes. The victory and place in the semi-finals will also be enough to see her retain her world no 1. ranking.

Clijsters has a dominant head-to-head record against Mauresmo, leading 8-3 all-time, however, Mauresmo triumphed in their last meeting at the Tour Championships in 2005.

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