The Comeback Continues

It's all over but the icing on the cake. The 2011 Australian Open, the first of the year's four major Grand Slam championships in tennis, is almost over. Earlier today, Kim Clijsters continued her remarkable comeback in tennis by taking her first-ever Australian Open, her fourth Grand Slam overall, and her second in a row. She defeated Li Na of China in three sets. Kim's win is especially sweet considering that she first played for the Aussie title seven years ago, in 2004, but was defeated by Justine Henin.
.
Clijsters wore a signature green dress which she selected to honor Aussie legend, 1980 Wimbledon Champ, Evonne Goolagong Cawley, who before Clijsters, was the last mother to win a Grand Slam tournament and who once wore a similar green dress.
.
Clijsters' story is amazing because she retired from tennis in 2007, having won only one major tournament, the 2005 U.S. Open. But since returning to the game in 2009, she's won three majors, two U.S. Opens and now the Aussie title. She's hinted that 2011 will be her last year on the tour, but who knows? She's only 27.
.
.

(the bryan brothers)

.
The shocker of the tournament was a couple of days ago, when after only one day since the tournament completely opened up for him with Nadal's loss, Roger Federer went out in straight sets in the semi-finals to Novak Djokavic. It will be the first time in eight years that Federer will not hold a major title, and the first time in three years that neither Federer nor Nadal will be in a major final. Is it the changing of the guard. At his post-match press conference, Federer answered that question with an emphatic, "No." He told reporters, "Come back and see where I am six months from now."
.
And speaking of the changing of the guard, Justine Henin retired from tennis, again, when she disclosed after her loss this week that an aggravated elbow injury will keep her from continuing play. Her exit, coupled with the Williams' sisters advanced ages and complicated injuries certainly signals a major new dawn for women's tennis.
.
The American Bryan Brothers, Mike and Bob, won the men's doubles, marking their 10th Grand Slam title, and making them one of the most successful mens doubles teams of all time.
.
The men's final tonight between Novak Djokavic and Andy Murray should be a good one; Djokavic is going for his second Grand Slam title, and Murray is hungry to prove he can win one. But for now, we'd like to savor Kim Clisters' fantastic win just a little bit longer.