Ana Ivanovic beats injury stricken Andrea Hlavackova in round one – Toray Pan Pacific Open 2012
Former world number one, Ana Ivanovic, smothered away the 63rd ranked Czech lucky loser, Andrea Hlavackova, in the first set 6-3; was leading the scores 2-0 in the second phase before the 26-year-old opponent withdrew from the encounter due to the left thigh injury. It was a positive result for the Serb superstar who enters the second round of the Toray Pan Pacific Open with little difficulty.
Before the encounter, the 12th ranked Serb stated in an interview, “The conditions here are fast. I think this should suit my game. I really want to pick up where I left on in New York, where I played some very good tennis. We're getting towards the end of the season but I'm feeling very motivated. I have a lot of events left and there is a lot to play for."
Ivanovic would have liked to play an entire encounter. It would have helped her to be more familiar with the conditions and get used to the court surface. However, a less tiring day triumph is a positive that any player would take. It was the third head-to-head win for the 11th seed Serb who is yet to lose a clash against the Czech doubles specialist.
The momentum was always running in favour of the Serb. She was marshalling the ball at her will but couldn’t win an early breakthrough courtesy some incredible fighting spirit shown by the 26-year-old Czech. Hlavackova kept on answering all the tricky questions from her rival until the eighth game where she failed to win more than one point.
Ivanovic rounded off the opening set with a classy serve hold; smashing three back-to-back winners that dismantled the confidence of the lucky loser. Trailing a set down, Hlavackova witnessed another blow when she hurt her left thigh during a stretch for a return shot. She called her medics at the court and received some treatment before resuming the show. However just a game after losing a breakpoint, she decided to call it a day.
Ana Ivanovic is scheduled to play the 21-year-old Pole star, Urszula Radwanska, in the second round.
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