Ana Ivanovic on track of recreating her magic this season – Tennis Special
Former world number one, Ana Ivanovic, is looking forward to re-ignite her 2008 spark this year. After losing several matches against the top five players, the Serb found her rhythm at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells where she stole the highlight after stunning the world number four, Caroline Wozniacki.
The Swiss native started this season’s campaign standing at number 22nd in the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) Premier Rankings. However, with her exceptional skills and abilities, Ivanovic not only found her rhythm again but also shocked top players this year.
Her career was highlighted this circuit when she jolted down the Danish super star, Caroline Wozniacki, in the pre-quarters of the BNP Paribas Open. Ivanovic outshined fourth seeded Wozniacki completely and after capitalising on five out of nine break opportunities, she sealed the deal with a 6-3, 6-2 success. Despite clobbering a lower first serve share and committing more errors, the Serb outclassed Wozniacki with her destructive style of play.
The gorgeous Serb was quoted in a courtside interview after stunning the Danish number one, "I'm really pleased the way I was aggressive, and how I just stayed in the match and played point by point. I did everything I should have done today."
Ivanovic maintained her intensity in the quarter-final clash against the French ace, Marion Bartoli, and after hammering angled shots down the line, she stunned the seventh seed in straight sets.
The 24-year-old assertively advanced into the last four to square off against the world number two, Maria Sharapova. She displayed world class power game and her best tennis of the tournament in this match. With ferocious forehands and big serves from her box of tricks, Ivanovic drew the first blood early on and jumped to a 2-0 lead. However, she got broken twice and eventually bowed out to the Russian number one in the opening set with a 4-6 loss in 64 minutes. The Serb found her rhythm again in the second set but after keeping her serve in the opening game, she was forced to retire due to a right hip injury.
The Serbian veteran had a poor winning record against the top five players before entering the Indian Wells WTA Premier Mandatory event. She lost to Wozniacki in straight sets few weeks ago at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
"I knew I had to be aggressive and accept mistakes, because she makes you play extra balls," the Serbian star further commented after her win over Wozniacki. "I did that really well, and I served much, much better than I did in the last match. That's something I knew I had to improve on from Dubai. And my forehands were coming through faster tonight."
The Serb sought her old spark at the end of last circuit when she conquered the Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions in Bali (crushing Roberta Vinci, Nadia Petrova and Anabel Medina Garrigues in straight sets).
She is bidding for her 12th WTA Career title at the on-going Miami Premier Mandatory Event held at the Tennis Center at Crandon Park.
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