Clijsters enjoying pain-free run

MELBOURNE, Jan 20 (Reuters) Kim Clijsters had one simple goal as she began her final quest to win the Australian Open crown -- to enjoy a pain-free run at Melbourne Park.

The popular Belgian has endured more than her fair share of injuries over the last couple of years, but 12 months ago it seemed fate had played a cruel trick on her.

She had arrived in Australia as the then reigning US Open champion and looked to be in good form to win a second major.

Within days, her participation in the season's opening grand slam was in doubt as she injured her hip.

Her trainers worked overtime to get her to the Open but her title aspirations abruptly ended when she had to retire from the semis with a sprained ankle against eventual champion Amelie Mauresmo.

''I'm just enjoying being out on the court without having injuries, which was a totally different story than when I was here last year,'' the fourth seed said following a brisk 6-3 6-3 workout against Ukrainian Alona Bondarenko in the third round TOday.

''Last year I didn't even know if I was going to start the tournament because I felt so frustrated with the back and the hip and everything.

''I didn't know if it was a good thing to start. But, you know, I did.

NO MAJOR PROBLEMS ''Then the semi-final, I twisted my ankle. So far I'm very, very happy that I've played these three matches without feeling any major problems.'' The Belgian has lost only nine games in total in her first three matches and was happy that she had avoided any drama during the opening week.

''I didn't get tested at all in the first three matches. I saved all my energy,'' the 23-year-old said.

''I think that's a good thing to take with me into the second week.'' Although Bondarenko managed to break Clijsters in the second set, she stood no chance of ending the Belgian's final run here before retirement.

Bondarenko floated the ball long to bow out just as the courtside clock flashed up with the hour mark for the contest.

Clijsters will next face either Slovakian 15th seed Daniela Hantuchova or Ashley Harkleroad of the United States for a place in the last eight.

REUTERS PM ND1400