Clijsters takes Stanford title

Bank of the West Classic

Results

Clijsters proved the stronger

Kim Clijsters rallied from a set down to claim her fifth title of the year in Stanford at the expense of Jennifer Capriati.

The Belgian lost the first set but gradually wore down the number three seed to complete a 4-6 6-4 6-2 victory.

Clijsters came out roaring in the first set, breaking the American to 2-0 with a backhand winner down the line.

The 20-year-old continued to dominate and held three break points for a 4-0 lead but Capriati eventually held serve to claw her way back into the contest.

She broke back to 3-4 with a deft forehand drop shot and broke again in the ninth game before serving out the opener on her fourth set point.

Capriati took a medical time-out to treat a right shoulder injury but she appeared set for victory after breaking Clijsters to love at the start of the second set.

I get the feeling of how it would be to play myself when I play her Jennifer Capriati

But the Belgian immediately levelled at 1-1 when Capriati sent a forehand wide, and the two continued to extend each other in long rallies in the searing heat.

Clijsters finally broke through in the tenth game when she forced Capriati into a forehand error to take the second set.

The world number two proceeded to move up a gear in the decider and raced into a 4-0 lead.

With a partisan crowd cheering her on, Capriati battled back to 4-2 but Clijsters stayed calm to hold to 5-2 and won the match when Capriati double-faulted.

It was Clijsters' second victory in the event following a final triumph over Lindsay Davenport in 2001.

"You train so hard physically at the end of the year and it really pays off in these matches," said Clijsters.

"It's very satisfying to win these kind of matches not only mentally, but physically."

Capriati, meanwhile, is still looking for her first title since the 2002 Australian Open.

"I had my chances to close out the match but I squandered some opportunities at the net and the momentum faded," she said.