MASON, Ohio — Kim Clijsters’ comeback has hit its first obstacle.

Playing in her first tournament in two years, the Belgian couldn’t keep up with the world’s top-ranked player. Dinara Safina repeatedly broke her serve during a 6-2, 7-5 victory Friday to reach the semifinals of the Cincinnati Open. Clijsters is playing again after taking time off to start a family.
Fourth-seeded Elena Dementieva also advanced with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Caroline Wozniacki. It’s the fifth semifinal this year for the Russian, who lost to Serena Williams at the Australian Open and at Wimbledon in semifinal matches.
It won’t happen again this week. Serena and Venus Williams were bounced from the tournament on Thursday.