Ana Ivanovic of Serbia plays against Perry on day two
Ivanovic through in controlled display
Former Australian Open finalist Ana Ivanovic has progressed into the second round of Australian Open 2010, knocking out American qualifier Shenay Perry 6-2 6-3 in front of a packed Margaret Court Arena on Tuesday.
Ivanovic, the 20th seed for the tournament, started her first round match well, securing the first break of the opening set after the 25-year-old American hit a backhand volley wide.
Serving at 3-1, Ivanovic was unable to hold serve and handed back the break with a forehand into the net.
After trading breaks, the women’s 2008 runner-up took control, breaking Perry’s serve for the third time en route to claiming the first set 6-2 in 31 minutes.
Once Ivanovic found her range, she strolled through the second set, racing to a 5-1 lead. Perry tried approaching the net to put pressure on the Serb, but struggled with her volleys.
The big-serving American did not back down, with Perry composing herself and breaking the Ivanovic serve to bring herself back into the match.
Serving at 5-3, Ivanovic struggled with her serve in the windy conditions with two double faults, but bounced back with a 172km/h ace to save one of four break points for the game. Ivanovic managed to hold serve, closing out the set 6-3 after Perry dumped a groundstroke into the net.
Despite having trouble in the final game, Ivanovic served consistently, winning 81 per cent of her first serves and firing three aces.
“I was pleased with the way I played. The conditions were very tough. It was very cold and windy and a lot different than Brisbane or what I [have] been used to,” Ivanovic said post-match.
“But I just tried to work my way through, just taking time, try to stay composed. I thought I played well and served good.”
With the win, Ivanovic now holds a 4-0 head-to-head record against the American. She will meet the winner of the Zuzana Kucova/Gisela Dulko match in the next round.
Interview with Ana Ivanovic
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Start of Transcribed Interview
An interview with: ANA IVANOVIC THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. Not so much about your game, but there's been a number of players younger than you climbing up the rankings last year. Which one of them are you most impressed about? ANA IVANOVIC: There is lots of them. You know, I just feel like a veteran at 22, which is kind of different. But I think Azarenka is doing a really good job; and Sorana Cirstea; she played really well in Paris. There is lots of them coming, most of them from eastern Europe, yeah. It's good to see that. They bring lot more excitement to the game.
Q. What about Wozniacki? ANA IVANOVIC: Definitely. She's been around for a while. I played her a few times, you know, at the Grand Slams as well. She's a good player. She has a lot of potential. And, yeah, she's the one to look out for.
Q. How do you assess your form today? ANA IVANOVIC: Yeah, it was very good. I was pleased with the way I played. The conditions were very tough. It was very cold and windy and a lot different than Brisbane or what I been used to. But I just tried to work my way through, just taking time, try to stay composed. I thought I played well and served good. I'm very happy to have victory, because she had lot of matches already. She's dangerous opponent. She likes to come in and serve and volley. Doesn't give you much rhythm or time. Yeah, very happy to have victory.
Q. Is Adam here or is he in the States? ANA IVANOVIC: No, he's not here. |
Ranking Update
In WTA Ranking, who has published today Ana is Nr.22. For the last time when she was out of Top 15 was before 5 years - in the end of 2005 she was 16-th.
TOP 25:
1 Dinara Safina (Rus) 7,731pts
2 Serena Williams (USA) 7,576pts
3 Svetlana Kuznetsova (Rus) 5,772pts
4 Caroline Wozniacki (Den) 5,485pts
5 Elena Dementieva (Rus) 5,415pts
6 Victoria Azarenka (Blr) 4,451pts
7 Venus Williams (USA) 4,397pts
8 Jelena Jankovic (Srb) 3,555pts
9 Vera Zvonareva (Rus) 3,550pts
10 Agnieszka Radwanska (Pol) 3,340pts
11 Flavia Pennetta (Ita) 3,150pts
12 Marion Bartoli (Fra) 3,105pts
13 Samantha Stosur (Aus) 2,945pts
14 Maria Sharapova (Rus) 2,820pts
15 Na Li (Chn) 2,541pts
16 Nadia Petrova (Rus) 2,440pts
17 Francesca Schiavone (Ita) 2,375pts
18 Kim Clijsters (Bel) 2,340pts
19 Yanina Wickmayer (Bel) 2,310pts
20 Virginie Razzano (Fra) 2,300pts
21 Amelie Mauresmo(Fra) 2,077pts
22 Ana Ivanovic (Srb) 2,067pts
23 Elena Vesnina (Rus) 2,030pts
24 Daniela Hantuchova (Svk) 1,985pts
25 Sabine Lisicki (Ger) 1,905pts
