Brisbane International Tennis - Australian Open Series

Ivanovic survives second-round scare

AAP/Image: SMP Images Wednesday 6 January 2010 25 Comments »

A “hyped up” Ana Ivanovic says she’s ready for a probable semi-final showdown with Belgian comeback queen Justine Henin, despite surviving a second round scare at the Brisbane International.

It was midnight (AEST) when Ivanovic strolled into the post-match press conference with an ice pack strapped to her right shoulder, which she insisted was just precautionary, following her hard-fought 6-2 2-6 6-4 victory over unseeded Swiss Timea Bacsinszky.

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With high-profile boyfriend Adam Scott watching, the third-seeded Ivanovic was cruising before her serve percentage dropped, allowing Bacsinszky back into the match.

But she displayed plenty of grit and tenacity to wrestle her way back into the match and then close it out.

“I felt like I wasn’t moving forward enough and putting pressure on her,” said world No.21 Ivanovic.

She will certainly have to step up a few gears to beat seven-time major champion Henin, provided she can safely negotiate a quarterfinal clash with either Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova or Italy’s Roberta Vinci.

“Am I in that part of the draw?” she innocently asked when questioned about taking on Henin.

“It would be nice to play against her. She hasn’t been competing for a year-and-a-half and I haven’t played too many matches lately.

“It’s going to be a good test to see where I’m at and where’s she’s at.”

Ivanovic missed Henin’s first round victory over second seed Nadia Petrova on Monday but she did get a glimpse of the Belgian’s form via television news highlights.

“She looks fit and in good shape,” said Ivanovic, whose 2009 was marred by injuries.

“She looks confident and she hit some really good shots.”

Asked whether she was ready to defeat Henin, 2008 French Open champion Ivanovic replied: “Yeah, definitely.

“Tomorrow [Wednesday] I have the day off so I can recover and do some light practice, and maybe watch some tennis.”

Ivanovic, dubbed “Aussie Ana” for her link to Queensland top golfer Scott, is relishing the support she’s receiving from the Brisbane crowds.

“I felt hyped up and full of energy out there,” said Ivanovic, who ousted Australian Jelena Dokic in the first round.

“I always feel like at home here.

“It’s nice to have that support at crucial moments.

“It helps a lot, particularly when I’m struggling physically and maybe mentally it helps me pull through it.”

Tags: Ana Ivanovic

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