Clijsters ends Ana's Olympic dream

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Ana's singles run at the Olympic Tennis Event ended in the third round with a 6-3, 6-4 loss against four-time Grand Slam champion Kim Clijsters. The 24-year-old served solidly throughout the match but one loss of serve in each set proved fatal.

The weather gods were in a bad mood and played a cat-and-mouse game with the players. Even before the pair managed to finish their initial warm-up, the court had to be re-covered. After a 40-minute rain delay, Clijsters started like a whirlwind. She won her first service game in overbearing style and forced a break point shortly after, which Ana saved with an ace. The break did follow two games later, as Clijsters was superbly returning Ana's second delivery and the 24-year-old struggled with her backhand.

At 5-3 and 0-30 on the Clijsters serve, Ana's forehand drop shot just stuck to the net cord and she saw a unique chance to re-break melt away. Clijsters recovered and sealed the set with an ace.

Another short downpour before the start of the second set compelled the players back inside. Unfortunately for Ana, the pause didn't change a lot. Clijsters scored a break in the third game, although Ana earned a break point herself one game earlier.

The Belgian former world No.1 proved to be too consistent and was never troubled on serve further in the set, punctuated as she booked her quarter-final spot to love.

Ana's mixed doubles tie with Nenad Zimonjic, against Indians Leander Paes and Sania Mirza, was postponed to Thursday.

By Joeri Moerman