K. CLIJSTERS/S. Stosur
6-3, 7-5


Q. What can you tell us about your next opponent? Heard of her? (Laughter.)
KIM CLIJSTERS: Hi. No, the last match we played against each other was in Brisbane. I think to me, that was one of the funnest matches, most exciting matches I think that I've played my career.
So hopefully we can both play the same kind of match level and intensity. I think that's something that I think, you know, you love I mean, I love playing matches like this.
I think Justine and myself, we had a great time out there in that Brisbane final. We'll see tomorrow who's better on the day.
I'm gonna try to hopefully raise my game a little bit more, because I know that I have to play some of my best tennis if I want to beat her, and to be very consistent throughout it all.
Yeah, it's exciting to be just, you know, what is it, the third or fourth tournament of the year and to be in another semifinal against her.

Q. Nice to have Justine back?
KIM CLIJSTERS: Yeah, it is. It think it's always fun to especially with her story as well after being off for that long just to see the two comebacks doing well.

Q. Do you like her?
KIM CLIJSTERS: Yeah, I do.


Q. She was saying that now that you're both in different stages of life, that maybe you can appreciate each other more.
KIM CLIJSTERS: I've always had a lot of respect for Justine. I think she's a player who she's definitely one of the most professional players out there. She works extremely hard to get to where she is. She is a huge talent. I think I can learn a lot from her.
And especially when we get to the clay court, the way that she moves and stuff, it's something that I think I can only dream of.
But, um, you know, she's yeah, obviously I have different things, different strengths than she has. So I think that's where we're both you know, we're completely different players.
But I think now that we're older, I think that we, yeah, we laugh at the whole you know, it's fun to be back and just to see us doing well again.

Q. Stosur has one the best serves on the tour, and her kick serve is especially good. Were you surprised how well you returned against her?
KIM CLIJSTERS: The thing is, I mean, I know when I play against Sam I know that that's her serve, so you kind of can prepare yourself for it. I felt today

Q. You haven't played since 2007. So there was really nothing that different?
KIM CLIJSTERS: Um, she's definitely improved a lot. I think she used to be a little bit more her strongest you know, when I played her in the past when she was playing at her best, I think she still has that, but I think she was a little bit more consistent in the past.
I think especially at really important matches and important moments in matches I think she would make a few more easier mistakes. You know, I felt that she's really worked a lot on the serve, and then the next shot. I think she's really good at that.
I think if you can't get it wide enough to her backhand she's really aggressive with that forehand. She puts a lot spin on there, so it's tough to get out of it once she's putting pressure on you. Once you're into that rally, you can't really get out of her forehand.
So I was really trying to make sure that from the return I was trying to go into that backhand. When I felt that I could really go down the line or just open it up in the forehand, like trying to stay aggressive and trying not to let her dominate most of the points.

Q. Speaking of forehands, obviously Justine is always known for that gorgeous backhand. Seems like she's beefed up her forehand. Did you notice that in Brisbane?
KIM CLIJSTERS: I think Justine has always had a good forehand. I think sometimes it was maybe a little overshadowed by her backhand because everybody talks about her backhand.
It's a great shot, but I think her forehand is definitely you know, I mean, you don't have a weakness when you have her career, you know, obviously. So she's definitely, yeah, a lot more she's, over the years I mean, and I'm not just talking about since she's been back.
I think she's definitely improved her strength and become a more of an aggressive player.

Q. She's kind of got you in the slams a little bit. Do you feel like owe her?
KIM CLIJSTERS: No, I don't.

Q. She was saying that she is enjoying everything more now: the tennis and everything that goes around it. Do you see that just from the time you've seen her around here, that she just seems a little happier, looser, enjoying?
KIM CLIJSTERS: To be honest, I probably I don't spend as much time as I used to at the courts, because now I'm more, you know, get my stuff done and get out of here.
So I don't see a lot players unless they're at the same hotel or I see them at breakfast once in a while. It's not that I'm hanging around just to go and watch some of my friends play. So that's the difference.
It's not that I'm seeing a lot of players when they're hanging out, unless we have to do some tournament things together.
But that's probably the biggest difference since my first career. Whenever I'm done now, I'm out of here. So let's hurry up.

Q. Jada was here tonight, right?
KIM CLIJSTERS: Yeah.


(via Sony Ericsson Open, photo/Reuters Pictures)

Miami: Kim Clijsters' 31. March Interview