TENNIS: Kim Clijsters has tried to play down her chances of a first Grand Slam triumph at Wimbledon but one of Russia's rising stars admits she would not be surprised to see the Belgian triumph.
Teenager Vera Douchevina, a former junior Wimbledon champion, was taken apart in a second-set slaughter by Clijsters in Saturday's final of the Hastings Direct International Women's Championship at Eastbourne.
But after the 7-5 6-0 defeat she said: "I've had a lot of bonus points here. I had to qualify and after seven wins to reach my first-ever final it has taken a special player to beat me.
"I think Kim has the game for Wimbledon now. She volleys well, she has a good slice and can serve. She is also very fast and looks fit."
Despite her tender years, Douchevina (18), has the experience to know what she is talking about. Next week will be her third senior Wimbledon and last year she reached the third round.
On the way to winning the junior crown in 2002 she beat compatriot Maria Sharapova, the reigning senior champion.
She added another notable scalp by including world number three Amelie Mauresmo of France among her seven victims at Eastbourne and expects to move up into the world's top 40 when the latest lists are published today.
Clijsters is vastly more experienced but only fours years older although a large chunk of her career has been lost to injury.
A wrist operation put a shadow over her career last year after she reached her fourth Grand Slam final in Australia. Knee and ankle problems have also troubled her since and Eastbourne was her first experience on grass since the 2002 Wimbledon semi-final when she lost to Serena Williams.
Former world number one Clijsters is currently ranked 15 after her injury setbacks but she will still be a formidable opponent for British wild-card Katie O'Brien in the first round. She is on course to meet Lindsay Davenport later in the competition.
Meanwhile, Croatia's Mario Ancic underlined his grasscourt credentials yesterday, beating defending champion Michael Llodra 7-5 6-4 to win the Ordina Open in Den Boschm, The Netherlands.
The third seed, a semi-finalist at Wimbledon last year and the 10th seed this week, produced an outstanding serving display and broke once in each set to claim his first ATP title. "It's a great feeling, a relief," said Ancic, who had lost his two previous finals."
