Kim Clijsters began the last tournament of her career by winning her 22nd consecutive U.S. Open match, beating 16-year-old American wild card Victoria Duval 6-3, 6-1 in the first round Monday night.
Clijsters overwhelmed American teenager on Monday in a powerful start to the final tournament of her career at the U.S. Open.
The three-times champion at Flushing Meadows wobbled a bit in the opening set against the 16-year-old wildcard but prevailed in 51 minutes.
Clijsters has left Flushing Meadows with the title each of the last three times she played - in 2005, 2009 and 2010. She missed the Grand Slam tournament in 2011 because of an injured stomach muscle.
With this victory Clijsters has extended her winning streak at Flushing Meadows hardcourts to 22 straight matches.
The 29-year-old Belgian is retiring after this year's U.S. Open.
Duval was the youngest player in the women's draw and won three straight games at one point in the first set against the former world number one.
Duval, who is based in Bradenton, Fla., was making her tour-level main-draw debut after earning a berth by winning the under-18 U.S. national championship.
Duval actually led 3-2 after 13 minutes Monday. But Clijsters quickly gained control and won 10 of the last 11 games.
