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Home > Sports > News > Reuters > Report


Hewitt, Clijsters pull off rare feat

March 17, 2003 11:27 IST

World number one Lleyton Hewitt and third-ranked Kim Clijsters have been dating for more than three years but on Sunday they pulled off a rare feat by winning their respective Pacific Life Open titles.

Not since Jimmy Connors and Chris Evert won the 1974 Wimbledon titles have a couple triumphed at a major tournament.

Husband and wife Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf started dating just after they both lifted the 1999 French Open trophies.

Top seed Clijsters defeated fourth seed Lindsay Davenport 6-4, 7-5 on Sunday and an hour and a half later Hewitt completed a 6-1, 6-1 rout of unseeded Brazilian Gustavo Kuerten.

"It's fantastic for the both of us to come here, No. 1 seeds, everyone wanting to knock us off," Hewitt told reporters. "We've been able to handle the pressure and situation very well this week."

"It's a bit awkward going on straight after her. I'd much rather be out there supporting her than sitting in the locker room waiting. It's a tough situation," said the Australian.

Clijsters said that when she left to practice at 0750 local time, Hewitt was still sleeping.

"I didn't think he was worried about my final too much," the Belgian laughed. "He's been in these big finals more than I have but I don't think there's much stress involved on my side.

"I was happy to play first because otherwise I would have been watching more of his match and it would have been harder for me to focus on my own match."

Neither player knew what they were going to do to celebrate but it did not sound like a candle-lit dinner was on the cards.

"I haven't thought about it," Hewitt said. "Golf might be on the agenda."

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