Ivanovic gains crushing opening win in Bali
Former world number one Ana Ivanovic stormed to victory in her opening match yesterday at the Bali Tournament of Champions, crushing teenager Anastasia Pavlyu-chenkova 6-0, 6-1. The rout was the most comprehensive win for the 2008 Roland Garros...
Former world number one Ana Ivanovic stormed to victory in her opening match yesterday at the Bali Tournament of Champions, crushing teenager Anastasia Pavlyu-chenkova 6-0, 6-1.
The rout was the most comprehensive win for the 2008 Roland Garros champion since the fourth round in Paris two years ago.
It took Ivanovic under an hour to secure the resounding first round victory, as third-seeded Pavlyuchenkova failed to get into gear, the teenager notching up seven double faults and losing serve five times.
The win comes as a welcome confidence booster to the 24th-ranked Ivanovic, who has been working her way back to form after falling to 65th this season.
Last week she parted company with Swiss coach Heinz Gunthardt, who could not travel with her full-time due to television commitments.
Ivanovic qualified for the year-end field with her ninth career title last month in Linz, Austria – her first in two years.
The Serb’s only niggles in the rapid-fire victory over Pavlyuchenkova were three break points, all saved. She constructed love games in both sets against an opponent clearly flustered on the day.
Ivanovic earned three match points from her sixth ace, with the Russian saving two before taking the loss. The four-day event ends on Sunday with the final.