Clijsters routs Flipkens to reach fourth round 

Kim Clijsters continued her stunning comeback to grand slam tennis when she outclassed school friend and fellow Belgian Kirsten Flipkens 6-0 6-2 on Saturday to reach the fourth round of the US Open.

The Belgian, back after two years off the tour, during which time she gave birth to her first child, needed just 62 minutes to book her place in the last 16.

The first set lasted just 27 minutes as 2005 champion Clijsters forced world number 93 Flipkens into a series of errors.

Flipkens led by a break at 2-1 in the second set but Clijsters ran through five successive games to set up a clash with third seed Venus Williams.

After sealing victory, Clijsters almost looked sorry for 23-year-old Flipkens as she leaned over the net to plant two kisses on her cheek before hugging her and patting her on the back like a concerned mother.

"I'm so glad that being back I was able to experience a match like today. Playing someone like Kirsten, it's really special for both of us," said the 26-year-old Clijsters.

"To be able to play against the girls that I think looked up to Justine (Henin) and myself was really special.

"Especially with Kirsten, we were in boarding school together. There's a very personal connection there. It was very nice."

---

---