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By Adrianna Outlaw
© Kim Clijsters.com

(July 9, 2010) Kim Clijsters and Serena Williams were world beaters in Belgium.

The current and former World No. 1 players squared off before a world-record crowd of 35,681 at King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, Belgium last night.

The exhibition shattered the record for most spectators at a tennis match set at the famed 1973 Battle of the Sexes match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs held at the Houston Astrodome. That match drew 30,492 fans.




In a rematch of the 2009 US Open semifinals, Clijsters beat Williams, 6-3, 6-2, thrilling the home crowd to win the BNP Paribas Fortis Best of Belgium exhibition.

"What an amazing day that was!" Clijsters said. "I love the music-sports combination. I feel so lucky."

King was invited to serve as honorary chair umpire, but did not attend. Hall of Famer Martina Navratilova sat in as honorary chair umpire.

Justine Henin, who was originally scheduled to play Clijsters in the match, attended with her right arm in a colorful sling. Henin suffered a partial ligament fracture of her right elbow in her fourth-round Wimbledon loss to Clijsters that kept her out of the exhibition and will prevent her from playing in the US Open. French Open champion Francesca Schiavone was also in attendance.
 
Navratilova brought some levity to the spectacle. When an errant Clijsters return missed the court and nearly hit the chair umpire, Navratilova deadpanned: "Did I say something wrong?"

Shortly after that exchange, Clijsters broke the Wimbledon champion then held for 6-3.



Williams, who was hampered by a foot injury, dropped serve twice in the second set.

The record-setting match was followed by fireworks and a concert.