Tennis: Clijsters bids farewell after mixed doubles loss

NEW YORK (AFP) - Belgium's Kim Clijsters bid what she vows will be a second and final farewell to her tennis-playing career on Saturday with a mixed doubles loss at the US Open.

Clijsters and American Bob Bryan were defeated by Brazilian Bruno Soares and Russia's Ekaterina Makarova 6-2, 3-6, 12-10 in a second-round match on the Grandstand stadium.

"It was an honour to be part of this lifestyle and this sport. I started when I was four and had so many dreams come true," said Clijsters.

"But life goes on. Tonight was one of the reasons why I wanted to play mixed doubles. Tennis will always be a part of my life and I will always follow it."