Ana Ivanovic topples Johanna Larsson to reach the third round

Ana Ivanovic topples Johanna Larsson to reach the third round – BNP Paribas Open 2012

Former world number one, Ana Ivanovic, stomped over the Swedish tennis ace, Johanna Larsson, with a breadstick at the BNP Paribas Open 2012 on Saturday. She winded up a 6-1, 6-2 success over the world number 67 to advance into the round of 32 at this hard court tournament which is part of the 2012 WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) Tour.

The Swiss resident, Ivanovic flashed her old self at this WTA Premier Mandatory event and crippled Larsson in straight sets in their third encounter. She not only avenged her loss at the French Open last year but also took lead in the head-to-head series by 2-1 against the Swede.

Ivanovic stormed into the Indian Wells Tennis Garden and after breaking the Swede’s entire serve, she pocketed the opener with an assuring 6-1 victory. She lost her serve once but converted three out of eight break opportunities to her advantage.

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Currently ranked 16th in the WTA Premier Rankings, Ivanovic kept her rhythm in the following set and slid entire serves after blocking the only breakpoint she faced. On the other hand, the Serb sought 10 break chances and availed two of them to pull out the set by winning six games to two.

Next in line for Ivanovic is the unseeded Kazakh, Ksenia Pervak, who stunned the 17th seed, Shuai Peng, with a bagel to set-up this meeting.

Another former world number one, Maria Sharapova, also earned the glory in a night match. The Russian slaughtered Gisela Dulko of Argentina with a bagel to secure this spot.

"Gisela is always tricky - we've played a few times before, and she's beaten me at a major before," the blooming Russian commented in a courtside interview. "She's someone who, when you give her a lot of time, she creates good angles, has really good hands, and can become quite dangerous. As a first round opponent, I had to be ready from the start. I haven't played a tournament in a few weeks. I was eager to get out there."

The world number two lost her serve once but cashed in six out of 11 break chances to formulate a 6-2, 6-0 score line in 66 minutes. As a result, she improved to a 4-1 head-to-head record against the Argentinean veteran.

Sharapova will square off against the Romanian number one, Simona Halep, who upset the 28th seeded Czech, Petra Cetkovska, in straight sets. The 20-year-old broke Cetkovska’s serve six times to seal the deal with a 6-2, 6-4 victory.

Caroline Wozniacki beats Ana Ivanovic

Caroline Wozniacki beats Ana Ivanovic to reach Dubai Open semifinals.

Jelena Jankovic of Serbia defeated US Open champion Sam Stosur 6-4, 6-2 Thursday to reach the semifinals of the Dubai Tennis Championships. Defending champion Caroline Wozniacki also reached the semifinals by defeating the other Serbian quarterfinalist, Ana Ivanovic, 6-3, 7-5. Wozniacki is the highest-seeded player left in Dubai at No. 3 after top-ranked Victoria Azarenka pulled out of the tournament Wednesday because of an ankle injury.

The eighth-seeded Jankovic was in control throughout the match as the fourth-seeded Stosur struggled with her game. The Australian seemed to rush her shots for much of the first set, hitting the ball early and returning it long and wide. Stosur broke Jankovic early in the second, but the Serb broke right back and then pulled ahead 5-2 before wrapping up the match in 1 hour, 30 minutes.

"I'm happy with the win," Jankovic said. "It's never easy. Against her, we always have tough matches." The 26-year-old Serbian player also defeated Stosur in last year's quarterfinals in Dubai. "I think the key was my return," Jankovic said. "You know, she (Stosur) has one of the best, if not the best, serves in the women's game. It's never easy to return her serve.

"But usually she likes to serve and then start dictating the point with her forehand. I didn't really allow her to do that ... I was pretty much in control the whole time," Jankovic said. Stosur was disappointed she missed a chance to bounce back from last year's loss to Jankovic, "I definitely didn't play as well today," Stosur said. "I mean, she played all right. She served quite well. I felt like I was getting pushed back. "I think today she stayed up on the baseline quite well and I didn't," Stosur said.

"But I think it was more that I don't think my forehand was as good as what it needed to be." Jankovic will meet fifth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska in the semifinals on Friday. The Polish player advanced after defeating ninth-seeded Sabine Lisicki of Germany, 6-2, 6-1. Wozniacki will play the winner of Thursday's last third-round match between two unseeded players, Germany's Julia Goerges and Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tennis/top-stories/Caroline-Wozniacki-beats-Ana-Ivanovic-to-reach-Dubai-Open-semifinals/articleshow/12009722.cms

Ana Ivanovic eyes return to the top

Boasting Adam Scott in her corner and a less complicated game plan, Serbian starlet Ana Ivanovic believes she's on her way "back to the top".

The former world No.1 is into the third round of the Australian Open for the loss of just eight games after powering past Michaella Krajicek 6-2 6-3 today.

"I feel like I'm getting into the tournament. It's nice to get some wins and be in contention to play against top players," Ivanovic said after burying Krajicek in barely an hour at Hisense Arena.

"I enjoy playing here. The last couple matches have been really lots of fun. It's been good to also apply things I worked on in off-season.

"I really tried to pick the right ball to come in and be aggressive. That's something I worked a lot on.

"Also on my spin on my forehand, so I don't play as flat as I used to.

"It's working really well. I can sort of push opponents around the court."

The 24-year-old said new coach Nigel Sears, who linked with the 2008 runner-up and ex-French Open champion after Wimbledon last July, had given her newfound clarity and calmness on court.

Source: http://tvnz.co.nz/tennis-news/ana-ivanovic-eyes-return-top-4693687

Ana Ivanovic: I want to have three kids

Serbian female tennis player Ana Ivanovic said earlier today she would love to have at least three children, but expand her family only after her tennis career had ended.

As she states at her official web page (anaivanovic.com), she said earlier for Russian sports page Sport.ru that she would one day love to have a large family, but not anytime soon.

- It will be after I’ve finished my tennis career, said Ivanovic.

Being asked if she already felt like a veteran player and who she got on with on the WTA tour, the 24-year-old Serb responded:

- I don’t feel like a veteran at all. It’s true I am somewhere between those young upcoming players and the older generation. My best friends on tour are of my age and those a little younger than me.

Ivanovic then explained she hung out most while on tour with Sorana Cirstea of Romania and Sweden’s Sofia Arvidsson.

- I wouldn’t say there is a huge generation gap and division between generations. For example, Caroline Wozniacki and Serena Williams are good friends. Although there are typically no great friendships, we communicate and chat no matter the age, said Ana.

Ivanovic receives Bali wild card

Former world number one Ana Ivanovic of Serbia will return to Bali in November to defend her Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions title after receiving the first wild card for the event on Thursday.

Last year Ivanovic emerged victorious in the eight-player field, which brings together the best performers of the season from the International series of WTA tournaments.

"It almost goes without saying Bali is one of the most beautiful places on the tennis circuit - probably the best, in fact," said Ivanovic, who is currently playing the China Open in Beijing.

"I had a wonderful time there last year. Off the court I was able to relax on the beach, but on the court I played some of my best tennis and was so happy to win the title.

"It's a great thrill for me to come back and try and win the tournament again," the 24-year-old Serb added. "I remember last year we had an exciting atmosphere at each match and I'm sure it's going to be another great event."

She is in the quarterfinals at the China Open and will take the court again on Friday.

The third annual Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions is scheduled for November 3 to 6 at the Bali International Convention Centre.

Featuring top WTA players and next generation champions competing in an eight woman, single elimination singles format, it offers prize money of 600,000 U.S. dollars.

Ana Ivanovic rising through tennis ranks again

With all of the drama surrounding the Williams sisters, from the resurgence of Serena to the strange, debilitating illness that forced Venus to withdraw here, it's easy for the rest of the women's tennis field to feel overshadowed at the U.S. Open.

But the Williamses are not the only ones who have been through turmoil lately. Ana Ivanovic, the No. 16 seed who will face Serena Williams in the fourth round Monday, has had her own share of misfortune, as well as triumph.

There was the loss of her grandfather, Milovan Ivanovic, who died the weekend before the Open began. And the apparent reconciliation with Australian golfer Adam Scott, who was seen in the player's box for Ivanovic's opening-round match last Tuesday. "We're just happy," she told The Associated Press last week.

Through it all, there has been the seeming return of Ivanovic's stellar tennis game. She has reached the fourth round here after beating top American prospect Sloane Stephens on Saturday night, marking the Serbian's best performance in a Grand Slam in 2011 after first-round exits at the Australian and French Opens and a third-round departure at Wimbledon.

The player who was ranked No. 1 in the world after winning the French Open as a 20-year-old in 2008 may not have vaulted back to the top just yet. But at least Ivanovic, ranked 19th, appears on her way again.

"Well, I think with all the work I've done, you do gain confidence," Ivanovic, 23, said after beating Stephens 6-3, 6-4 in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday. "Obviously when you win, you have more confidence, you enjoy competing much more. That's something that I gain back. … It makes a big difference because you don't doubt so much when you step on the court and you can play a lot freer."

In her rise to No. 1 in 2008, Ivanovic captivated as much with her appearances as her on-court performances. What followed was a mystifying rapid plummet; at her lowest, Ivanovic's ranking dropped below 60 in the summer of 2010.

"For me, it was one of the strangest things because she won the French Open playing so well, became No. 1 in the world, and I don't know if it was the weight of the pressure, the expectations of now being at that level," said 15-year pro and two-time doubles Grand Slam champion Mary Joe Fernandez, now a tennis commentator. "Majors have been tough for her. So for her already to come through this far, I think that's already going to give her a big boost and belief.

"There's no reason why she shouldn't be in the top 10. She's got the ingredients.''

Part of the credit for bringing those pieces back together goes to new coach Nigel Sears, the former head of women's coaching for the British Lawn Tennis Association who became Ivanovic's coach in July. Sears has worked on Ivanovic's powerful forehand and serve.

"He has helped me a lot," Ivanovic said. "I think our relationship, it's really good. I can pick up things fast from his coaching. We have the same views, and that's very important as well, because then you can absorb things better.

"We have big goals and we look at the big picture. But the results are already there, which is very encouraging."

Ivanovic also has not been severely tested at the Open thus far. She beat Ksenia Pervak of Russia 6-4, 6-2 in the first round and had a second-round walkover against Petra Cetkovska of the Czech Republic, who beat her in the third round at Wimbledon. Ivanovic then took advantage of a young Stephens, 18, who was so overwhelmed to play in Ashe Stadium for the first time that she battled nerves as much as her opponent.

But the path ahead can't be any more difficult for Ivanovic now. She faces Williams in Ashe Stadium on Monday. Williams has not surrendered a set through the first three rounds. She has lost just 10 games overall.

"When you play Serena, Serena controls the match," Fernandez said. "It's up to Serena. If she continues to play the way she's playing, I don't think anybody can beat her. But for Ana, it's going to be key to serve well. She's going to have to serve well to be in it."

For her part, Williams knows Ivanovic is improved from earlier in the season.

"Well, she's playing well," Williams said. "She's incredibly fit right now. She was No. 1, right, at one point, so …"

So Ivanovic is not a player to be taken lightly at this moment.

Still, Ivanovic knows what's coming. But if she is intimidated, it doesn't show.

"It's exciting, at least for me," Ivanovic said. "I think she [Serena Williams] is the hottest player out there at the moment. She's been playing so well lately. It is going to be a good challenge.

"I know I can give her a tough match. She beat me in the past, but maybe I can go for revenge on Monday."

Ivanovic has nothing to lose. Even if she doesn't beat Williams, she already knows she's on her way back to the upper echelon of women's tennis.

Ana Ivanovic to clash with Melanie Oudin

Ana Ivanovic to clash with Melanie Oudin in Wimbledon 2011.

The Serbian, former world No.1, Ana Ivanovic will be facing the American Player, Melanie Oudin in the first round of the 2011 Wimbledon tournament.

Ana Ivanovic will be clashing with the American world No.87, Melanie Oudin in the first round of the 2011 Wimbledon tournament on Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 21:00 GMT, the match between both the players will be played at the All England Club in London, England.

The head to head against each other have played one match against each other, as the Serbian former world No.1 has thrashed out the American in a three set thriller with a score line of 2-6 6-1 and 6-1. Both the players will be clashing in their on Tuesday for the second time in their career to enter into the second round of the third grand slam tournament, Wimbledon 2011.

The Serbian last week has played the warm-up tournament of Wimbledon, AEGON international, where, she has defeated the in-form player, Julia Georges in the second round. However, in the thirds round, Ivanovic has been thrashed out against the come back, Venus Williams in the third round of the 2011 AEGON International.

The American world No.87, Melanie Oudin best performance came in the US open, entering into the quarter finals of the tournament. However, she is still waiting for her first WTA title in her career. Oudin’s best so far has come in the Fed Cup circuit where she helped USA reach the finals of the prestigious team event two times.

As per the stats, it would be the Serbian straight sets victory against the American.

Ivanovic and Bartoli join an already impressive field

The Bank of the West Classic player field got even more impressive on Tuesday when former World No. 1 Ana Ivanovic and 2011 French Open semifinalist Marion Bartoli entered the 2011 event that will be held this summer at Stanford University.

At just 23 years of age, Ivanovic already has put together an impressive resume recording a 279-117 career singles record, winning 10 career WTA singles titles, capturing her first Grand Slam singles title at the 2008 French Open, and ascending to the world No. 1 ranking in June 2008.

Off the court, Ivanovic's striking good looks and warm personality have made her one of the world's most glamorous and marketable athletes. She has been featured in numerous fashion and lifestyle publications including Vogue, Vanity Fair, ELLE, Cosmopolitan and Time Magazine. In addition she was featured in last year's Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue and in 2009 was ranked 11th on FHM's Sexiest Women in the World list.

Bartoli, the 2009 Bank of the West Classic champion, advanced to her first French Open semifinal on Tuesday with a 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 win over Svetlana Kuznetsova. She becomes only the fourth French woman in the Open Era to reach the semifinals at Roland Garros joining Francoise Durr, Brigitte Simon and Mary Pierce. The French No. 1 will face defending French Open champion Francesca Schiavone in the semifinals.

Bartoli already has put together a solid 2011 season reaching two Tour finals at Indian Wells and Strasbourg, as well as semifinal berths at Brisbane and Doha. She is currently ranked No. 11 in the world but ascended to a career-high No. 9 world ranking in 2007 following her final's appearance that year at Wimbledon.

The addition of Ivanovic and Bartoli adds to what is already a strong player field. The event already has commitments from three-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova, 13-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams and current World No. 6 Samantha Stosur.

Tickets for the event, which will be held July 25-31 at the Taube Family Tennis Stadium on the campus of Stanford University, can be purchased by calling the box office at 866-WTA-TIXS (866-982-8497) or by logging on to www.BankoftheWestClassic.com.

Single-session tickets for the tournament's opening round start at just $26. Fans also may pre-purchase parking passes for the event for just $10.

Injured Ana Ivanovic out of Strasbourg

Former French Open winner Ana Ivanovic withdrew Tuesday from the WTA Strasbourg event with inflammation in her left wrist, her website said.

The Serb said that as the injury is not on her racquet hand, she expect to be fit for the start of the French Open on Sunday. The 2008 Roland Garros winner and former number one last played in a second-round loss a week ago in Rome.

“It’s always extra disappointing to have to withdraw while on-site at a tournament, because you’ve felt the excitement, and you’re looking forward to being part of it all,” she told her website.

“I’ve had this pain for a while now, despite physical therapy. My doctor has told me to rest it completely for a few days, and I’m having treatment twice a day.

“Considering that it is not my racquet hand, I can still practise, but backhands are out of the question for the next few days. I expect to be fit for Roland Garros.”

Ana Ivanovic enjoy the city

Ana Ivanovic enjoys sightseeing in Madrid

So after an early exit from the Mutua Open in Madrid, Ana Ivanovic stayed a little while longer in town. Just like she says on her official Facebook page:

Losing early at the Mutua Madrileña Madrid Open hurts. But there is one small consolation: the opportunity to see more of the city. This week I visited the botanical gardens at Park Retiro – so beautiful!

Ofcourse it’s a small consolation because a lot of us would have loved to see Ana Ivanovic reach far into the tournament. And perhaps even, dare I say, win it? Or would that be too far off? Well if it wasn’t for that then at least have her match up versus Dominika Cibulkova. Y’know, just to show Cibulkova who is boss and take her revenge for the Fed Cup misery.

At least my photographer, Ralf Reinecke, feels my pain of the early loss of Ana and did me a HUGE favor by shooting a stunning photo of Ana Ivanovic.

Ana Ivanovic leads casualties in Madrid

Ana Ivanovic was the biggest name to fall on the first day of the Madrid Open on Monday, losing to Bethanie Mattek-Sands in three sets.

The Serbian and former world no.1 won the first set 6-0 but dropped the next two 6-4 to lose in one hour and 43 minutes.

Estonian Kaia Kanepi, the 14th seed, was also knocked out after a 6-7 (3) 6-1 6-4 loss to Germany's Julia Goerges.
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But world no.1 Caroline Wozniacki was too strong for Japan's Ayumi Morita, winning 6-2 6-3.

Fellow seed Marion Bartoli overcame Romanian Simona Halep 6-4 6-1 and Serb Jelena Jankovic was even more clinical in her 6-2 6-0 thrashing of Spain's Laura Pous-Tio.

Third seed Italian Francesca Schiavone was forced to work hard for her 7-5 7-6 (2) win over China's Shuai Peng, as was Maria Sharapova of Russia, who came from a set down to record a 2-6 6-3 6-2 win over Arantxa Rus of Holland.

Serb Bojana Jovanovski was forced into three sets to beat Greta Arn 6-4 2-6 6-3.

Swede Sofia Arvidsson recorded a 6-3 3-6 6-4 triumph over Aravane Rezai, while qualifier Chanelle Scheepers took two hours and 47 minutes for her marathon 4-6 6-3 7-6 (3) win against Monica Niculescu.

Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova breezed past Kimiko Date-Krumm 6-3 6-3, and Spaniard Arantxa Parra Santonja sprung a surprise 6-3 7-5 win over Italy's Flavia Pennetta.

United States qualifier Vania King did similar in her 6-1 7-6 (5) victory over more-fancied Russian opponent Nadia Petrova.

Italy's Sara Errani struggled early before overcoming Czech Klara Zakopalova 7-6 (6) 6-4.

Russian Ekaterina Makarova was impressive in disposing of Belgian Yanina Wickmayer 6-4 6-4 and Elena Vesnina was in form for her 6-4 6-3 win over India's Sania Mirza.

On the first day on the men's side of the draw, Swiss 14th seed Stanislas Wawrinka was a first-round loser to Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-4 5-7 6-4 in a two hour and 45-minute marathon.

Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga strolled past Spain's Nicolas Almagro 6-1 6-3.

Argentine Juan Monaco worked his way past Andrey Golubev 2-6 6-2 6-2, while Colombian Santiago Giraldo was too good for Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-1 7-5.

Ana Ivanovic recalls Roland Garros memories

Currently without a full-time coach Serbian Star, Ana Ivanovic has been taking women’s tennis to a whole new level.

2011 has been a productive year for the Serbian player Ana Ivanovic. After a jerky start at the Australian Open, she managed to reach the quarterfinal at Pattaya City and Indian Wells. She is currently ranked at number 18 among the WTA rankings.

Ivanovic was seen fishing out memories of her Grand Slam victory and the number one stance in a short interview for Adidas. The Serbian had reached the finals of two Grand Slams, the Australian Open and the French Open in 2007 and 2008. She was in prime form beating her rivals Jelena Jankovic and Maria Sharapova in order to do so.

She took charge of the world tour and won her only Grand Slam title at Roland Garros. She revealed that she had an amazing time winning the title in 2008 and loves to recall those memories often. Ivanovic also mentioned a little about the Adidas. She explained about the comfort levels and the role that a comfortable dress plays in winning the title.

Ana Ivanovic will be giving her best at this year’s Clay court season. The Serbian will be expecting a few victories and a sturdy performance at the French Open this year.

Ana Ivanovic vs. Daniela Hantuchova-2011 Fed Cup Match Preview

Serbian star Ana Ivanovic takes on Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova in the first of the Fed Cup rubbers between Serbia and Slovakia.

Ivanovic shot to super stardom in her dream season in 2008 with a Grand Slam, No.1 ranking and several other fabulous runs at various events to rise high in terms of popularity quotient in the international tennis arena.

Ivanovic picked up two titles last year in Linz and Bali and made an impressive start to the 2011 season with various confidence boosting wins in Pattaya and Indian Wells where she beat arch nemesis Jelena Jankovic in the pre-quarterfinals. Ivanovic came close to beating Australian Open champion Kim Clijsters in Miami but lost a three set nail-biter despite holding a series of match points.

Ivanovic's opponent, Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova recently returned to winner's circle with a win in the final of PTT Pattaya Open. Hantuchova also picked up some confidence boosting wins over some of tour's hottest players before the start of the American spring hardcourt season. Hantuchova is a two time Indian Wells champion and knows what it takes to beat the best in the business.

Both players have contested four matches before with Ivanovic leading the head-to-head 3-1. The Serbian won the pair's previous meeting in Melbourne after trailing 6-0, 2-0. Ivanovic is surely a favourite in this match and is likely to win it in two closely contested sets.

TennisEarth.com's Pick - Ana Ivanovic in straight sets.

Ana Ivanovic and Dinara Safina

Ana Ivanovic and Dinara Safina: Resurgence at Indian Wells 2011

Ana Ivanovic and Dinara Safina have posed, for women's tennis, as the couplet of failure for the last three years. Indian Wells, however, has been blessed thus far in 2011, in that it has witnessed some sort of resurgence.

Some sort of resurgence. Safina and Ivanovic, at this point in writing, have of course both been bounced out of the tournament by Maria Sharapova and Marion Bartoli respectively, players with no humble credentials themselves.

The most surprising thing about the stories of Ivanovic and Safina has certainly been the depths to which they have had to stoop in this process of career-realisation. Mind you, it was pretty hard to imagine anything going wrong with their upwards-trendy careers back in 2008—Ivanovic won the French after a year or so of movement towards the top, while Safina, the defeated finalist, hoped for great things herself.

Indeed, the Russian proved so for the next few months, and played the role currently held by Wozniacki, being a world number one without a slam title. Safina's chances were there, nonetheless, at the Australian Open and French Open finals in 2009. On both occasions she proved woefully out of her depth. Since then, Safina has failed to reach anything near the second week of a grand slam, yet alone maintain her name in the top 10.

Ivanovic, however, began to unravel quite quickly after her French Open title, and since winning her maiden major has been unable to reach the last eight of a grand slam. Indeed her swift success at the highest levels seems to have been costly—scarcely has she imposed her dominating game on any match since. Why Safina and Ivanovic, not to mention some of the other WTA women, fell so quickly is still something of a mystery.

Success, for some people, unleashes the pressure of expectation, and releases the floodgates, as it were. For the Russian and Serb, however, the pressures of expectation have proven too much.

It was nice, then, to see some sort of a revival at the Indian Wells tennis garden this week. Their performances were not classic comebacks—Ivanovic has lost, of course, which evidently ends any chance of seeing her lift the trophy. Neither is this the first moment in a long while that both have demonstrated something of their former selves. Their runs, nonetheless, are significant in their career development.

It is the first time Safina has won any string of matches in a long while, ending a series of consecutive losses. While this may seem elementary, every return is made with small steps. Safina's problems have been almost entirely psychological, and every bit of that winning feeling adds to the reserves of confidence she needs to build up.

For Ivanovic, on the other hand, we are seeing perhaps a glimmer of her former dominant self. Her victory over Jankovic, especially, is one of the first few times in the last few years she has earned a win over a top player. Jankovic used to be one of her rivals for the number one spot in 2008, and defeating her surely must have injected some confidence into her game.

At any rate, Safina and Ivanovic still have a way to go, but we have seen in their runs at Indian Wells this year something fundamental to tennis—confidence comes in winning.

Tennis: Ana Ivanovic knocked out

Bartoli, Wickmayer reach semis in Indian Wells.

Marion Bartoli and Yanina Wickmayer grabbed the opportunity presented in the wide open bottom half with contrasting victories to reach the semi-finals. Bartoli made the best of her new found consistency to upend former world No.1 Ana Ivanovic’s dream of a grand return to top flight tennis with a laborious 64 76(4) victory and become the first player to reach the last four of the $4.5mn BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. Yanina Wickmayer removed the highest remaining seed in the bottom half, when she thrashed the 10^th seeded Shahar Peer 63 63 in just 62 minutes.

In the first match of the day, Ivanovic failed to produce the tennis she brought to bear on defending champion Jelena Jankovic in the earlier round. Bartoli fired a thumping forehand down the line return winner to earn a breakpoint in the first game. For the third time in the game, Ivanovic drove into the net to offer an early break to the Frenchwoman.

With neither player serving well enough, the first three games went against serve before Bartoli held in the fourth game to take a 3-1 lead. But this was a contest in which the breaks came in a flurry and Ivanovic clawed her way back to even the score by the sixth game.

A sweetly timed lob at 30-30 in the ninth game allowed Bartoli to sniff yet another break and when Ivanovic dumped her forehand in the net, the 15^th seed served out the set with an elegantly smashed winner off a weak return.The second set was a see saw battle that contained an astonishing eight service breaks. While there was a lot to be desired about the quality of tennis being produced, the constant breaks of serve were providing for an intense phase that swung one way then the other. Ivanovic began the tie-break much the same way she had the first two sets, gifting Bartoli a mini-break with an untimely double fault.

With Bartoli serving at 5-4, Ivanovic rushed to the net only to dump the volley in the net. The Frenchwoman sealed the match with a big serve and an overhead smash to claim victory in two hours and 7 minutes. The match was characterised by the thirteen breaks of serve, corroborated by the fact that neither player managed to win even half the points on serve.

In the other match, the Belgian 23^rd seed was more than Peer could handle on the day. Wickmayer sprayed winners from all parts of the court to completely dominate the Israeli from the sixth game in the first set. At one point, Peer managed to win just a solitary game during a stretch of nine games.The 10^th seed offered a token of resistance towards the end by breaking the Belgian in the eighth game of the second set to get to 5-3. But in the very next game, Wickmayer took her first match point with a powerful forehand return that forced an error from Peer to close out the match.

Wickmayer will play Bartoli in the semi-finals on Friday, taking a 0-2 career deficit into the match against the Frenchwoman. Thursday’s action will see the top half contest their two quarter-finals. In what promises to be a cracking encounter, world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki will take on the in form Victoria Azarenka. The Dane has a slender 3-2 career edge against the world No. 9 Belarusian. In the other match, Maria Sharapova will take on the Chinese star Shuai Peng.

Ana Ivanovic, Maria Sharapova enter Quarters in Indian Wells

Ivanovic, Sharapova enter Quarters in Indian Wells

Ana Ivanovic was the brighter star as she lit up Stadium 2 at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells with some clever tennis and clinical execution to defeat the defending champion in straight sets. Ivanovic’s victory further defined the week as the place where former world no.1 players started to stitch together their comeback stories.

She was joined in the last eight by Maria Sharapova, who prevailed in another battle of ex-world no.1s, coasting past Dinara Safina in just over an hour to indicate that the Moscovite still has plenty of hard miles to put in before she can reclaim her former glory. The current world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki was made to sweat and toil to earn a hard fought come from behind 26 63 61 victory over Alisa Kleybanova.

Her main rival Kim Clijsters was laid low by an injured shoulder leaving the Dane safely perched on the top of the rankings, at least for the next two weeks. Clijsters was leading Marion Bartoli 61 13 when she decided it was enough, mostly to prevent aggravating her strained muscle.

The first match of the day featured the much awaited contest between the two Serbian former world No.1 players. While the match did not produce the drama expected of it, the contest more than made up for it in terms of superior planning and execution from the bubbly Ivanovic.

Ivanovic appeared to be the better organised of the two, building up her points to create an opportunity to kill them on her stronger forehand side. While Ivanovic was steady off her weaker backhand flank, she was very successful in avoiding being punished by the fearsome backhand power of Jankovic.The world No.21 made a strong start, breaking Jankovic with a backhand down the line winner to set the tone for a dominant performance. With Ivanovic playing steady tennis from the back of the court, Jankovic needed to win more than the 51% points she won on serve. The defending champion could save only 3 of the 7 break points she faced, as Ivanovic eclipsed her 64 62 in an hour and 24 minutes.

“I'm really happy about that, because she's tough opponent and she's been playing well lately,” Ivanovic said. “So I really tried to stick with the plan and to be aggressive, and take the ball early. That worked really well. Even when I was making mistakes, I didn't let myself get down for it. I just tried to be persistent and do the same thing over and over again.”

The prospect of a revitalised Ivanovic taking on Clijsters left us trembling with excitement for a while and when the Belgian won the first set against Bartoli in a flurry, a blockbuster quarter-final was taking shape faster than was expected. But then the world No.2 conceded an early break in the second set to fall behind 1-3, before walking up to the net to offer the match to the Frenchwoman.

"With those higher shots against the opponent today, I just feel it pinching a little bit more when I have to do that kick serve and when I have to reach that right arm up higher with the forehand," said Clijsters who won here in ‘03 and ‘05.

Wozniacki upheld a tenet of tennis at the very top – that of finding a way to win matches even while not playing at one's best. She recovered from a dismal first set loss to gradually gain ascendancy by wearing down her Russian opponent, who just ran out of legs towards the end of the match. Wozniacki ended the match on a strong note, breaking Kleybanova three times in the deciding set.

Maria Sharapova was ruthless in her destruction of 24-year old Dinara Safina, who had over the course of the last week given indications that there might be a resurgence in both her form and confidence. That might just have taken a bit of a beating on Tuesday with Sharapova crushing Safina 62 60 in a shade under 62 minutes.

Victoria Azarenka played the longest match of the day, needing just over three hours for a 46 63 76(3) victory over Agnieszka Radwanska. In a match riddled with error the two players traded service breaks as if they were selling power company futures in the aftermath of the nuclear threat in Japan. There were 17 breaks of serve in all before Azarenka came back from match point down to hand the Radwanska family a second defeat in two days.

The 10^th seeded Shahar Peer also needed three sets to eliminate reigning French Open champion Francesca Schiavone. After they split the first two sets, the players traded a break each in the final set before Peer clinched the match in the tie breaker to close out a satisfying 64 36 76(3) victory in two hours and 47 minutes. In another upset, the in-form Chinese star Shuai Peng, ranked 36 in the world, outlasted Nadia Petrova in another 2 hour plus slugfest 64 57 63.

Yanina Wickmayer blew the wick on Dominika Cibulkova’s brightly burning aspirations by clinching a closely contested 75 75 victory that took a little more than two hours.

Wednesday has a slightly lopsided schedule, with only two of the women's quarter-finals squeezed in between a host of men's fourth round matches. Ana Ivanovic will take on Marion Bartoli in a 1pm start on Stadium 1 Court, while Shahar Peer will have to wait for 7pm and the scenic surroundings of Stadium 2 for her match with Yanina Wickmayer. Caroline Wozniacki will battle with Victoria Azarenka on Thursday as will Maria Sharapova and Shuai Peng.

Vera Zvonareva through as Ivanovic bows out

Defending champion Vera Zvonareva moved into the semi-finals of the Pattaya Open in Thailand but second seed Ana Ivanovic was beaten by Roberta Vinci.

Zvonareva, seeking her third successive Pattaya Open title, defeated Peng Shuai 6-4 4-6 6-4 in two hours 27 minutes for her 13th consecutive win at the event.

In the last four she will face Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia after the fourth seed beat Akgul Amanmuradova 6-2 6-0.

Ivanovic lost 7-5 6-3 to fifth seed Vinci of Italy, the world number 38.

Zvonareva secured a break in the ninth game to gain the upper hand at 5-4 in the first set, and captured an early break in the second set to lead 3-1.

Her Chinese opponent, ranked 40th in the world, broke back in the next game to stay in the match and built a 5-4 lead, levelling the contest after the Russian served a double fault on set point.

In the decisive set, Zvonareva broke at the first opportunity and led 3-1 but handed it back in the fifth game. At 4-3, Peng had two break points on the Russian's serve but Zvonareva was able to hold the crucial game.

The top seed regained her composure to break for 5-4 and then saved two more break points to complete victory.

"I'd told myself come on, go for it, and luck was on my side," Zvonareva said. "It was just a few points that was there and there. I could have lost the match. I'm happy that I could turn it around."

Eighth seed Sara Errani of Italy rallied to beat Kazakh qualifier Galina Voskoboeva 2-6 6-3 6-2 in one hour 56 minutes and the world number 44 will now play compatriot Vinci in the last four.

Ana Ivanovic visits Wild Wadi Water Park in Dubai

Former World No.1 Ana Ivanovic may not be on her on-court BEST, but off it, she finds plenty of places to forget the pressures of competitive tennis and relax, this time it was the famous Wild Wadi Water Park in Dubai near the iconic Burj Al- arab.

Ivanovic, who was in Dubai last week for the premier WTA event, took time out to enjoy the visit to the Water Park without getting drenched in some of the most amazing slides and rides that the Park has to offer.

"I am really thrilled to be back here (in Dubai). I actally feel very welcome here,"said the Serbian star.

Ivanovic had an injury hampered 2009 season which saw her withdraw from a series of top level matches after which she decided to take a break and nurse the injuries. The Serbian then returned to winner's circle after two years and won a title in Linz, followed by a season ending Commonwealth Bank of Champions title in Bali.

Ivanovic has a Grand Slam title and a runner up finish from French Open and Australian Open respectively, both of which helped her in rising to the top spot in WTA rankings in 2008.

Ana Ivanovic to go it alone

Former No 1 Ana Ivanovic will play the Dubai Championships this week after sacking her latest coach, with the Serb determined not to rush any future choice of a replacement mentor.

The 2008 French Open champion who has rescued her WTA ranking back to 19th, parted company only days ago after a trial period with Antonio van Grichen, an arrangement which only began before the 2011 season.

Ivanovic, who won two of her last three 2010 tournaments, appears to be following the examples on the men's side from Andy Murray and Roger Federer. Murray is still without a coach since last summer while Federer went for years basically on his own until hooking up last summer after Wimbledon with Paul Annacone.

Ivanovic, who split with Swiss Heinz Gunthardt in 2010 after a trial run, said that she intends to go it alone for some months, She believes life will be less complicated as she heads into a first-round match at the Aviation club with Patty Schnyder of Switzerland.

The 23-year-old who has been to the top of tennis and back, told Gulf media that she's a grown-up player who can direct her own life on court.

“When you're 14 or 15 and getting into the routine, then you need someone to push you and point you in the right direction,” she said.

“I'm at the stage of my career when I know what my goals are and when I know I have to work hard in order to succeed. There is no need for someone to repeat it into my ear every day.”

The best showings for Ivanovic in Dubai were quarterfinals in 2008 and 2009, her last appearance.

The Dubai field has been hit by defections, with two-time holder Venus Williams declining to return to aim for a trophy hat-trick due to injury. Maria Sharapova, losing finalist in her only previous appearance five years ago, withdrew with a virus.

The field is headed by former No 1 Caroline Wozniacki, who was replaced at the top spot Monday by Australian Open winner Kim Clijsters, who is taking a break this week after losing a Paris indoor final at the weekend.

Ivanovic remains convinced that she can find the way to win matches on her own.

“If I play at my best, regardless of anything else, I will win. That is why I don't worry much over tactical variations,” she said.

But she said a coach can bring advantages. “They are really good at tactics but I sometimes pay too much attention to the technical aspect of my game that I forget what I am really doing.

“I over-analyse everything, that's why I've decided to give it a rest. I'm not looking for a new coach and we'll see how it goes.”

Ana Ivanovic: Unseen Pictures

Ana Ivanovic is a Dance Machine

So anyone else got teary eyed when they looked at the WTA rankings to find Ana Ivanovic back in the top 20? I would like to say “Atta girl” but somehow I managed to set off a real tearjerker speech in my head.

I would love to write it down and share it with you dear readers but alas, the best I can do is a tribute to that wonderful epiphany. Since a photo is a thousand words I will upload 25 photos but that is not even close to the amount of words I had in my head.

Last month at the Australian Open Ana was very open about her personal life. She told that breaking up with golfer Adam Scott was one of the reasons for her downfall on the WTA rankings. Which is totally understandable. I mean who hasn’t had his life turned upside down after a break up?

“It’s tough,” the 2008 French Open champion said. “I think it’s better not to mix professional life and personal life, although that’s hard.

“If you’re happy in your private life that will affect your tennis and that will help you, actually.

“While you want to pursue your career 100 per cent, I think it is very hard to give 100 per cent in something else.”

She still believes she can win another major but that is what I have been saying for years now. And even though she got her form back in the latter part of 2010 and despite the early loss this year at the Australian Open, I believe that she can come back and the take the world by storm starting with a spot in the top 20.

But next to being a true winner, Ana also has dance moves. Not just dance moves but THE moves: