Australian Open 2012 Scores: Kim Clijsters Guaranteed to Fail in Finals

No. 11 Kim Clijsters was extremely impressive in her win over No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki in the Australian Open quarterfinals, but "Aussie Kim" has little chance of repeating as champion down under.

Clijsters has had a great deal of success on hard courts during her career, winning the Australian Open last season and the US Open on three other occasions. Because of that, I have no doubt that she can overcome No. 3 Victoria Azarenka in the semifinals. But a date with No. 4 Maria Sharapova in the finals is looming.

I don't want to take anything away from Clijsters' straight-set victory over Wozniacki, but tennis fans have grown accustomed to seeing Wozniacki bow out in Grand Slams against tough competition. Clijsters' comeback against Li Na in the previous round was far more impressive, and it will probably stand out as her shining moment of the tournament.

Sharapova seems to be on a collision course with No. 2 Petra Kvitova in the semifinals, and while I wouldn't discount Kvitova picking up the win completely as she did upset Sharapova in the Wimbledon finals last year, Sharapova is playing better and more complete tennis than she has in a very long time.

Clijsters has been through all the battles and has plenty of experience in big-match situations, but the same can be said of Sharapova, even at the age of 24. If anyone can weather the storm that Sharapova is sure to bring, it is likely Clijsters, but Sharapova's game is working in every aspect right now, including her serve, her ground strokes and her movement.

What Clijsters has been able to accomplish since returning from semi-retirement and having a child is nothing short of incredible. She is 28 years old, which is certainly not a young age in tennis terms, but she continues to move with great fluidity and display great power.

I liken Clijsters' situation in the Australian Open to what Roger Federer is facing. Like Federer, Clijsters is currently playing spectacular tennis, but there is a very obvious obstacle in each of their paths to a title. For Federer, that obstacle is No. 1 Novak Djokovic, and for Clijsters, I have no doubt that it's Sharapova.

In some ways, Serena Williams getting eliminated was good for Clijsters since she avoids that possible matchup, but at the same time, it gives Sharapova an easier road to the finals. By the time Clijsters and Sharapova get to the end game, I think Sharapova will be the fresher player.

When you consider the age advantage, the fact that Sharapova has less wear and tear and the notion that she is playing the best all-around tennis she has in a long time, I simply don't see Clijsters coming out on top. While you can never count out the Belgian star, Sharapova will be too hot to handle.