Serena Williams and Kim Clijsters made tennis history at the "Best of World" exhibition on Thursday after the Belgian beat the American 6-3, 6-2 in front of 35,681 spectators, a new world record for largest attendance at a tennis match. The previous record was held by Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs at the "Battle of the Sexes" in '73.Justine Henin was originally scheduled to play her compatriot Clijsters before pulling out with an elbow injury, so Serena stepped in to compete while Martina Navratilova served as chair umpire. French open champ Francesca Schiavone made a surprise appearance at the event, held at the King Baudouin Stadium. After the match the crowd was entertained with fireworks and a concert.
"I was here often as a little girl to come and watch football," said Clijsters, whose late father often played soccer in the massive stadium. "That I can actually play here is very special and emotional. I said to myself a few times: 'Remember this moment well.'"
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