Clijsters downs China's Li in straight sets
(AFP)
Updated: 2006-01-10 15:54

World number two Kim Clijsters has swept aside China's Li Na in straight sets at the Sydney International in her first Australian appearance since splitting from local hero and ex-fiance Lleyton Hewitt in 2004.

Kim Clijsters of Belgium in her match against Li Na of China in the ATP/WTA Sydney International in Sydney, which she won 6-3, 6-1. [AFP]

Once known as "Aussie Kim", tournament top seed Clijsters received a warm reception from the crowd at the Australian Open lead-up event.

The Belgian disposed of Li 6-3, 6-1 in 53 minutes, although she said her 23-year-old opponent provided some tough match practice on the hardcourt surface.

Despite struggling with the heat, the 22-year-old looked sharp covering the court.

She said she prepared for her Australian campaign by taking extended saunas at her home in Belgium but still found the heat difficult after coming straight from winning the Champions Challenge in chilly Hong Kong last weekend.

"I was struggling so much at the start of the first set ... my skin was burning," she said.

Clijsters, who won the Sydney International in 2003, said she enjoyed the support from the Australian crowd, which obviously bore no resentment over her dumping of favourite son Hewitt.

"I feel good here and the people were very supportive today as well, it was fun for me to be out there," Clijsters said.

Elsewhere in the women's draw, world number eight and tournament fifth seed Justine Henin-Hardenne brushed aside Russian Vera Dushevina 6-2, 6-2.