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Ivanovic through to Brisbane semis

Ivanovic through to Brisbane semis

AAP/Image: SMP Images Thursday 7 January 2010 14 Comments »

It has been a bumpy ride but former world No.1 Ana Ivanovic remains on course for a Brisbane International semifinal clash with comeback queen Justine Henin.

The third-seeded Serbian held her nerve in her quarterfinal with promising Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to win 6-2 7-6(6) on Thursday.

Already weary after two straight three setters, Ivanovic looked set to play a third on Thursday morning when the Russian teenager fought back from 4-0 down in the second set to force a tiebreak.

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The 18-year-old world No.40 even held a set point leading 6-5 in the tiebreak before a clearly frustrated Ivanovic dug deep to close out the match in almost an hour and a half.

Ivanovic has been warmly embraced by the Brisbane crowd since her romance with golfer Adam Scott – and the Pat Rafter Arena faithful initially had plenty to cheer about.

The former French Open champion broke the world No.40 to lead 4-2 – and then it appeared to be all one way traffic.

The 22 year old reeled off seven straight games to take the first set in 30 minutes and lead 4-0 in the second to seemingly have the Russian rising star on the rack.

But Pavlyuchenkova launched her own counter attack, breaking the former French Open champion three times to amazingly lead 6-5 in the second with her serve to come.

Yet Ivanovic held her nerve to immediately break the teenager and force a tiebreak.

The wheels again appeared to have fallen off for the popular Serb when she trailed 1-4 in the tiebreak, and the Russian had a set point leading 6-5.

But with the crowd egging her on, Ivanovic found enough to hold out the Russian upstart and finally clinch her first match at the tournament in straight sets.

Former world No.1 Ivanovic finished 2009 ranked 21st after cutting short her year due to niggling injuries.

And Ivanovic needs to clear some more rust before the Australian Open judging by her display in her first tournament in four months.

While Ivanovic is considered a darling of world tennis, her popularity will be tested if she lines up against Henin in the semifinals.

Henin takes on seventh-seeded Hungarian Melinda Czink later on Thursday.

After the match, Ivanovic paid tribute to the support she receives from golfer boyfriend Adam Scott.

At times Scott has looked like he needs his pulse checked as he’s sat watching an emotional Ivanovic remain on track – just – for an expected semifinal with Justine Henin in the Brisbane International.

However, world No.21 Ivanovic said she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“That [Scott's calm facade] is really good to see [in the crowd],” Ivanovic said.

“Because you have so many emotions running through your body.

“It’s good to see someone calm supporting you no matter what the result – it’s great, I really enjoy it.”

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  • patrick28

    Great job for Ana i knew she could do it good luck in the semi. Number one fan

  • L.Constante

    Let's go ana, is the perfect way to start the new year.

  • http://survivordean.wordpress.com/match-point-40/ survivordean

    Ana Ivanovic looks very hungry during the first set and the second set when she was up with four games to zero. Maybe, too excitement destroyed her game and that's why the young Russian leveled it up and forced a very tight tiebreaker.

    Ana Ivanovic showed great play and confidence during the tiebreaker and that was all enough to outlast the young Russian.

    Ana Ivanovic, I love you! If only I can marry you, I'll do it in a jiff. hehehe

  • D.I.

    This is Ana's first 1/2 final breakthrough since Indian Wells last year so that means she is improving and I didn't doubt about her victory today. And some people are so pathetic saying that she is lucky and that the crowd helped her win, I'm sure it did give her support but all the victories she accomplished here she owns exclusively to herself and even If she is lucky, that is a big plus too, not all players can be!

  • jlouiev

    Хајде! Ана!

    Goodluck to your semis!!!

  • Angie

    Congratulations Ana and Andrea on reaching the semi finals. Now you can both go and celebrate Orthodox Xmas with family. Wishing all Serbian and Russian tennis players a very merry Xmas. Mir Boziji, Hristos se rodi. (Meaning Peace of God, Christ is born!”)

    All the best for the semi's for Ana and Andrea.

  • tinchuk

    hi..ana good luck for semis…..i love u………

  • Curtis

    Congrats Ana on making the semi's today!

    She looked great, except for that little collapse in the 2nd set. She is showing lots os progress and good signs. 2010 will be better than 2009. Now I hope she cna play well against Henin as well! Ajde!

  • Melissa

    I totally agree with you, D.I. The fact that people that are saying she won only because of the crowd is ridiculous. I saw her play in the 2009 us open when she lost in the first round. The crowd was out of their seats cheering for her every time she won a point, yet she still lost the match. the crowd has nothing to do with whether she wins or loses no matter how much we cheer for her.

  • D.I.

    Yes, Melissa, you are totally right, sometimes cheering can be helpful only mentally, but all is up to the player…:)

  • Shira

    Congrats to Ana for winning today. However, since she's playing Henin in the semis, I can't cheer for her =(

    Still, if Ana wins, I won't be too upset, since I like them both =) But I'll be cheering for Justine.

  • amilasampath

    Congratulations Ana!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • amilasampath

    it s correct!

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/T4GZBZKGYRJ4MPRSG7BKSHXEFE pete'sbest14

    Oh I think a win is a win, a huge confidence builder when you are trying to find your form again. Ana is HUGELY popular with many across the globe and I think having the crowd cheering for you is emotional 'icing' on the cake!
    I am personally so pleased for her and her mental toughness this week. I know it's been hard shaking off the rust, but if she can manage to stay 'healthy' I truly believe she will return to her Championship playing :-) She absolutely has all the skills required, just a bit more hard work and staying mentally tough too & we'll see her lifting more trophies in the future!
    You have many pulling for you Ana! You are a lovely Champion and congratulations on your newest Humanitarian Award..You are MOST deserving of it with all the energy, time, money and 'hands on' hard work you give your “Schools Against Violence” program in Belgrade and also your work with UNICEF! Always stay true to yourself and you'll never be 'so' disappointed that you can't handle it~
    MUCH success tomorrow against Henin!!!!!

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