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Wednesday, Dec 12, 2012 8:00 PM UTC

Clijsters beats Venus Williams in farewell game

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Clijsters beats Venus Williams in farewell gameBelgium's Kim Clijsters, left, greets Belgium's Prince Philippe, right, and Princess Mathilde prior to an exhibition match against Venus Williams from the U.S. at the Sportpaleis in Antwerp, Belgium, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012. The four time Grand Slam champion retired from tennis at the US Open this year but wanted to thank her fans with a ceremonial farewell match. The 29-year-old Clijsters retired once before in 2007 to have a baby. She has said that this time there is no chance that she will come back to professional tennis. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)(Credit: AP)

ANTWERP, Belgium (AP) — Former No. 1 Kim Clijsters ended her career with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Venus Williams in a ceremonial farewell match in Belgium.

Clijsters retired after the U.S. Open but organized a match to thank her fans, 13,000 of whom turned up at Antwerp Sports Palace, including Crown Prince Phillipe and Princess Mathilde.

In the lighthearted encounter, Clijsters was destined to win but still wowed the crowd with the play that made her famous before injuries added to her retirement at 29.

Clijsters beat Williams on the way to her last two U.S. Open titles, in 2009 and 2010, and she held a 7-6 edge over the American on the WTA Tour. She also won at Flushing Meadow in 2005 and earned the 2011 Australian Open crown.

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