Tennis: Ana Ivanovic Through To Second Round Of Australian Open
January 19th 2009 11:25
Former world No 1 Ana Ivanovic has battled her way through to the second round of the Australian Open. Last year's Open finalist, Ivanovic struggled in the early stages against German Julia Goerges before triumphing 7-5 6-3.
Goerges held a 3-1 lead in the first set before the French Open champion hit back with service breaks in the sixth and 12th games.
She was forced to come back from behind in the second set as well but in the ninth game put together two match points and sealed the match with an ace.
After the match, Ivanovic said she feels she has regained her impressive form from last year.
"I feel as if it's the new year and feel I'm in great physical shape and it's a fresh start for me,'' Ivanovic said.
"I just want to take the experience I got from last year and just enjoy my time again and enjoy competing again.
"I think this might be my two weeks.''
If she does repeat, or better, last year's run it will be the result of either being in the right place at the right time or simply stepping up a gear, mentally and physically.
"Honestly you want to perform the best you can every match but it only happens maybe a few times a year that you play perfect tennis.
"Other days you have to work yourself and stay tough and be mentally stronger maybe than other players.
"I've put a lot of hard work in in the off-season and obviously worked hard off the court as well but I just need some matches to get into that competition spirit again and get some confidence,'' she said.
"I just want to have the feeling that I gave 100 per cent and if that's good enough to win then that's perfect.
"I just want to be honest with myself that I gave it the best chance I can possibly give.''
In other results, No.7 seed Russian Vera Zvonareva moved into the second round with a 7-6 (7-2), 6-0 victory over Slovak Magdalena Rybarinkova.
Top seed Jelena Jankovic said her feet were burning as temperatures soared at Melbourne Park, but she managed to keep her cool as she benefited from a brutal off-season training regime to beat Yvonne Meusburger 6-1, 6-3.
"It's exciting to begin this tournament and to start with a win is always nice,'' she said.
"It was so hot and my feet were really burning,'' she added. "If I'm going to go very far I have to deal with it.''
Other women progressing included French 15th seed Alize Cornet, who ended the dreams of Ukraine's Mariya Koryttseva, and French 15th seed Marion Bartoli.
Goerges held a 3-1 lead in the first set before the French Open champion hit back with service breaks in the sixth and 12th games.
She was forced to come back from behind in the second set as well but in the ninth game put together two match points and sealed the match with an ace.
After the match, Ivanovic said she feels she has regained her impressive form from last year.
"I feel as if it's the new year and feel I'm in great physical shape and it's a fresh start for me,'' Ivanovic said.
"I just want to take the experience I got from last year and just enjoy my time again and enjoy competing again.
"I think this might be my two weeks.''
If she does repeat, or better, last year's run it will be the result of either being in the right place at the right time or simply stepping up a gear, mentally and physically.
"Honestly you want to perform the best you can every match but it only happens maybe a few times a year that you play perfect tennis.
"Other days you have to work yourself and stay tough and be mentally stronger maybe than other players.
"I've put a lot of hard work in in the off-season and obviously worked hard off the court as well but I just need some matches to get into that competition spirit again and get some confidence,'' she said.
"I just want to have the feeling that I gave 100 per cent and if that's good enough to win then that's perfect.
"I just want to be honest with myself that I gave it the best chance I can possibly give.''
In other results, No.7 seed Russian Vera Zvonareva moved into the second round with a 7-6 (7-2), 6-0 victory over Slovak Magdalena Rybarinkova.
Top seed Jelena Jankovic said her feet were burning as temperatures soared at Melbourne Park, but she managed to keep her cool as she benefited from a brutal off-season training regime to beat Yvonne Meusburger 6-1, 6-3.
"It's exciting to begin this tournament and to start with a win is always nice,'' she said.
"It was so hot and my feet were really burning,'' she added. "If I'm going to go very far I have to deal with it.''
Other women progressing included French 15th seed Alize Cornet, who ended the dreams of Ukraine's Mariya Koryttseva, and French 15th seed Marion Bartoli.
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