Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Ivanovic Get Revenge
I'm finally done mourning
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Ivanovic Improves in Second Match
Monday, January 19, 2009
Ivanovic Slides Into Second Round
After a not so stunning performance in Brisbane, Ana Ivanovic went down to Melbourne for the first grandslam of the year with little confidence. It showed in her opening match as her shots were very tenative and her ball toss was all over the place. Although Ivanovic faced technical problems, she was able to advance into the second round with a 7-5 6-3 victory against the German Julia Goerges.
The first set was tight by both players. Goerges got the early break to get ahead 3-1, and even had a break point to serve with a 4-1 advantage, but was unable to convert. Ivanovic then went on a tear of 10 straight points to lead 4-3. Ivanovic had an opportunity to serve out the opening set when she gave herself 4 break points, but mental mistakes from the Serb failed that chance. Both players were able to hold serve for 5-5, but it was experience from Ivanovic that was able to get the break and serve out the first set 7-5.
Ivanovic look as if she was going to run away with the match when she opened up the second set with a break. However, Goerges wasn't ready to fold and she broke right back. Both players then held serve to 3-3 with many tight games. Ivanovic finally found her form that got her to the final last year and was able to win the last three games to take the match.
Ivanovic's next opponent is the Italian qualifier, Alberta Brianti. The two have never faced each other before.
"It took me some time to adjust to [the play of Goerges] in the beginning," Ivanovic said. "But I'm very happy that I took opportunities I had. It was very, very close first set. In the second set, it was lot of games with deuce and advantage. But [was] very happy to keep my composure in important moments. You know, I expect tough [matches] every match I step on the court. Obviously you want to work your way into tournament."
Friday, January 9, 2009
Ivanovic Falls To Mauresmo
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Ana Fights Into the Quarters
Ana's form was questionable in the opening set, having to save a set point 5-4 down. She was able to save that set point, and push the set into a tiebreak. Ivanovic struggled, and was only able to win four points. Ivanovic surrended the first set 7-6(4).
Ivanovic was now a set down, and had to win the next two sets if she wanted to continue in Brisbane. Things didn't start off too great for the Serb, and Vinci's momentum seemed to make her unbeatable, getting to a 3-1 lead. Ivanovic was able to break right back, but saw herself down again. Ivanovic was serving down 5-4 and two match points at 15-40. It was at this moment that things started to click for Ivanovic. Her serve began to improve, and she cut back on the unforced errors. Ivanovic was able to even the match by taking the second set 7-5.
Ivanovic never looked back once the third set began. She was able to finish things off losing just one game, and taking the match 6-7(4) 7-5 6-1. Ivanovic's next opponent is fifth seed, Amelie Mauresmo, who also had to save match points in her second round winning in a third set tiebreak against fellow Frenchwoman Julie Coin.
Mauresmo leads the head to head 5-2, but the two haven't played since Mauresmo was world No.1, which seems like decades ago.
Here is what Ivanovic had to save after her nail-biting match.
"I'm glad I hung in there to the end and believed in myself," Ivanovic said. "I just kept thinking about all the hard work I put in during the last few weeks and I didn't want to lose here this early."
"My serve didn't work like it did in the previous match so I'll have to work on improving that. She played really well and made me work extremely hard for it."
Monday, January 5, 2009
Ivanovic Opens The New Year With A Win
Her first round opponent was Czech Petra Kvitova, currently ranked just inside the top 50 at No. 44.
Both players had rust in their first match of the year, and it showed as the first four games went to deuce. The two were even at 4-4 in the first set, but it was the higher ranked of the two that was able to convert on the big points, and eventually took the set 6-4.
Ivanovic continued to play well, and was able to not look back after winning the first set. Ivanovic just surrendered two games in the second set as she took it in just about half an hour. The win moves her into the second round where she will face Roberta Vinci.
Ivanovic was pleased with her win, and hopes to continue playing well for the rest of the week.
"It is always tough, the first match and it was just a matter of hanging in and waiting for opportunities, Ivanovic said. I’m very happy to get this victory. I had to fight for each point, it was good in the first match of the year. You want to get into your rhythm.