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Kim Clijsters is concentrating on small improvements as her comeback starts to build.

Playing her second event back, the former No.1 fell, 6-3, 7-5, to Johanna Konta in Monterrey, but called her level of play better than in her two-set defeat to Garbine Muguruza two weeks ago.

"I felt some things were better. Some things still need a lot of improvement," she was quoted as saying. "That's why it's good to play matches."

"It's a process that I have to trust and keep working hard to improve in every match I play. I'd like to take big steps but I have to focus on small steps and improving day by day."

"It's a process": Kim Clijsters concentrating on small improvements

"It's a process": Kim Clijsters concentrating on small improvements

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Clijsters retired in 2012 for the second time in her career and has three children.

"Today I started and served much better," she said. "Those are a few of the positive things, and the points that have to be better, I'll work very hard to improve them for other matches."

Konta, like Muguruza, said Clijsters's strokes are still there.

"Her ability to do things with the ball is what made her a multiple Grand Slam champion. It's why she was able to come back and play," Konta was quoted as telling press, having said on court, "I feel truly privileged and honored to share the court with such a champion. It's nice to have her back."

Clijsters will next play the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, where she has received a wild card.

"It's a process": Kim Clijsters concentrating on small improvements

"It's a process": Kim Clijsters concentrating on small improvements