Tennis: Kim Clijsters completed her incredible return to tennis by beating Caroline Wozniacki 7-5 6-3 in the US Open final. The Belgian returned to the sport in August after a 27-month retirement and she became a mother for the first time during that break with her daughter Jada in the crowd to watch the match.
Clijsters is the first mother to win a Grand Slam title since Evonne Goolagong beat Chris Evert to win Wimbledon in 1980 but she was made to work hard for her success by a gutsy display from Wozniacki.
There were seven breaks of serve in the opening set as a swirling wind played a major part in what, at times, was an error-strewn performance from both players with Clijsters hitting 20 unforced errors and Wozniacki 15.
Clijsters finally secured the advantage with a powerful forehand winner, one of many that the 26-year-old hit throughout the match, to move ahead.
The second set was less dramatic but still featured plenty of unforced errors from both players as the Belgian secured the vital break with a clinical love game on the ninth's seed's serve to move 4-2 ahead.
Wozniacki continued to battle as the match neared its conclusion. However, there was no doubt that a second title at Flushing Meadows for Clijsters was going to be the story as the former world number one added to her 2005 triumph by sealing the 2009 crown with a powerful smash at the net after an hour and 33 minutes.
The Belgian was quick to hug her family in the crowd following her victory and she told the New York fans in the post-match cermony on the Arthur Ashe Stadium that she hadn't expected to reclaim her title.
"I don't have words for this. This has been so exciting for me but not really our plan," said the former world number one, who was only competing in the tournament after being given a wild card.
"It's been so exciting for me. I just wanted to get back to playing tennis.
"The support I've received has been crazy. Even from the first round, how warmly everyone welcomed and embraced me. It helped me keep fighting and stay focused."
Clijsters was also delighted that an adjustment to her 18-month-old daughter's routine meant she was able to be part of her fairytale return to tennis.
"We tried to plan her naptime a bit later today so she could be here.
"It is the greatest feeling in the world to be a mother and I can't wait for the next few weeks to get back in her routine."
Wozniacki, who was looking to win her first Grand Slam title, was quick to praise her opponent after the match.
The Dane said: "She's such a great girl. I'm so excited that she came back but unfortunately she beat me today."