Ana Ivanovic vs Marion Bartoli - Quarterfinal Preview: 2011 BNP Paribas Open
Ana Ivanovic crushed defending champion Jelena Jankovic 6-4, 6-2 of Serbia on Tuesday to set up a meeting with the French Marion Bartoli at Indian Wells Tennis Gardens in California.
Ivanovic required only 1 hour and 24 minutes to dispatch her opponent in a completely one sided contest and called it as her best performance of the season afterwards. The Serbian looked pleased with the way she played however
consistency is going to be the key in an important match up against Bartoli.
“Definitely I’m really happy,” she said. “I played some good tennis in past few weeks, as well. But to have it all the way through and play consistent on that level, I’m really pleased.”
She further added, “I enjoy this place a lot. The conditions for tennis are perfect, besides that one year we played the final”. “But, no, it’s very nice and it’s very relaxing. You get lots of practice courts and hotel is close
by, so there is not that much outside stress as well. That’s what I enjoy as well.”
Ivanovic has faced challenging times one the Women’s Tennis Association tour since the start of this season. She was forced to withdraw from 2011 Sydney due to an abdominal injury and then fell in the first round of Australian
Open. Just a couple of weeks ago she was defeated again in the first round of Dubai Duty Free indicating that she is having trouble recovering her peak form. If Ivanovic defeats the French number one in the quarterfinal, it will be her first semifinal appearance
of this year.
Marion Bartoli was awarded a win against Australian Open champion Kim Clijsters in her fourth round match. Clijsters looked to be cruising to an easy win before she felt pain in her shoulder and after consultation with her personal
trainer she decided to walk off. The French admitted that she was extremely lucky having qualified for the quarterfinals and will be hoping to make the most of this opportunity.
The two players have met each other six times on the tour prior to this meeting with Ivanovic leading the head to head 4-2. Bartoli thrashed the Serbian twice in year 2010 however in their most recent clash at the 2010 Beijing
Ivanovic came out victorious in straight sets.
Prediction: The 23-year-old Ivanovic will be feeling very confident after a thumping victory over the former world number one Jelena Jankovic and is expected the contest in three tight sets. However, if Bartoli
can keep the winning momentum going for her she will certainly create problems for her opponent.
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