An amazed Kim Clijsters, who added Miami to another Masters trophy she lifted a fortnight ago in California, was revelling on Saturday in a resounding comeback from injury after defeating Maria Sharapova 6-3, 7-5.
Trophies at the Indian Wells Masters in the California desert and the Miami miracle over Sharapova has assured a return to the top 20 in Monday’s rankings.
The astonishing scenario capped a dream for the 21-year-old Belgian, a former world number one and four-time grand-slam finalist who a month ago stood 133rd.
She will begin next week at an estimated 17th, after a heavy workload of 14 matches in four weeks, bouncing back with a vengeance after wrist surgery last summer and several false starts following rehab.
”I don’t know what to say about all this. It’s been an incredible four weeks,” said the only unseeded winner of the title. ”I’m just going to try to enjoy it as much as I can.
”Even after winning Indian Wells, I came here and was really looking forward to coming playing here. This whole trip has been so much fun. Just being able to be back on the court, but also off court, seeing all the girls again, seeing some guys back on tour. It’s been great to see everyone as well.”
Sharapova admitted that the stamina of the Belgian was stunning over the course of the past four weeks.
”The biggest surprise was that it was her 14th match. I didn’t feel that she was physically fatigued,” said the soon-to-be 18-year-old.
”You could see her running after every ball and giving it all she’s got out there. She was recovering very well. After 14 matches, I’m not at that point where I can do that. She’s a very strong girl — physically, she can play all day out there.”
The Russian, who missed a chance to reach a world number two ranking behind Lindsay Davenport — a Clijsters victim in the Indian Wells final — said she takes away many positives.
”I’m not really disappointed. I’ve had a great week. I performed well, and I fought out there, and I gave it all I got for this match,” Sharapova said.
”Unfortunately, you can’t win every single match. You’re going to have good moments, you’re going to have bad. That’s the way life is.” — Sapa-DPA