Brisbane Tennis Draw
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The likeable Serb, former world number one, has seen its ratings drop from 50 in 2010 and has lost the attention media simultaneously.
Injuries and a lack of confidence caused "Serbia Sweetheart" to fight on the tour and while his compatriot Jelena Jankovic has regained its form in this year with a big tournament victory at Indian Wells Ivanovic best tournament so far in 2010 has been an aspect semi-final in a tournament in Brisbane earlier this year.
In fact Ana failed to pass the second round in any other tournament and we are already almost in the middle of the tennis season. Just what we expect of a former world number one.
That week, however, we have seen a revival in the fortunes Serbs.
It looked more comfortable on clay in Rome she did in a long time and finally looks like it is on track to return to the rankings. Clay is the favorite surface and it always amazes me Ana how a victory against an opponent senior can do wonders for a confidence player.
In the first round in Rome, Ivanovic was the underdog against Russian Elena Vesnina. Russia has been in good form and had moved up to 32 in the world in recent weeks, but with pressure For once, shoulders and unleashed Serb Ana defeated his opponent 6-1 6-3 to set up a clash against the rising star Victoria Azarenka.
Azarenka has struggled with injuries to some of its tournaments lately but started the match as a favorite. Azarenka is one of the favorites for the French Open in a few weeks.
Once again Ivanovic appeared to have recovered. Ana served five aces and showed the face of qualities cons his younger opponent that we have not seen for over a year. She saved six of nine points and at the end won 6-4 6-4 strongly. Next step – a clash with Elena Dementieva.
Dementieva won their last four games against the other and such a strong clay court player would certainly able to take a fairy tale story Ivanovic with ease. Well, early Elena could not cope with the power and placement of his Serbian opponent.
Ivanovic was on fire. She blistered his way through the first set 6-1 Dementieva saving only 44% of its first services and none of his incredible second serves. The second set was much closer between the actors; trading blows at once and win the other is used.
Ivanovic won 75% of his first serves, which makes the difference. The Serb won the second set tiebreak 7-5 to move into quarterfinals of the tournament.
Ana continued her impressive form in the next round against another giant Russian Nadia Petrova. The Serb breezed through the first set 6-2 and if it was made to work a little harder in the second, she still reigned for a 7-5 victory sets.
It faces Maria Martinez of Spain in the last four with a possible all final Serbia on the horizon as over Jelena Jankovic, Serena Williams in the other semifinals.
However, whatever happens, Ana made a beginning of his campaign back. His performance in Rome should move the popular player again in the top 50 and putting up a good French Open campaign.
Perhaps his favorite to win the Grand Slam may be too much to hope Champion 2008 Ana is still a dangerous floater in the draw and someone want to avoid the top seeds in the early rounds.
Let's hope this week is the beginning of a new era for Serbia and it is able to regain its position in the elite players in the world, after all, it is only another 22 years!
About the Author
Popular as ever with male tennis fans, Ana is finally showing again what she can do on the court as well as off it.