After a first round loss to Patty Schnyder in Dubai three and a half weeks ago, Ivanovic withdrew from Doha the week after due to an abdominal injury; on Friday night she made a welcome return to court as the No.19 seed against Date-Krumm, losing just 17 points in nine service games against the Japanese.
"The first set was a little bit shaky but my serve kind of pulled me through it," Ivanovic said. "I played Kimiko in Bali last year and practiced with her recently. I know she likes pace, so if you give it to her in her hitting zone, she can hurt you off if. I tried to get it out of her comfort zone, mixing up the pace and height.
"I have so much respect for Kimiko, just her story, being on top of the game and coming back and still playing so well, and in the meantime running marathons. It's just impressive. If I am that fit at her age, I would be more than happy."
Ivanovic was in a few places since the aforementioned loss in Dubai. "After Dubai I was in London for about a week with my brother, also doing some rehab work. Then I went to Vegas for a week and I worked there with my sparring partner and Darren was helping me on the court. Then I came here on Sunday."
Next up for Ivanovic is Barbora Zahlavova Strycova, who pulled off the biggest upset of the day, rallying to beat No.12 seed and good friend Petra Kvitova, 3-6 6-2 7-5. They played recently in Paris, with Kvitova saving match point to win.
"It was another tough match with Petra today. It's always hard to play against a friend," Zahlavova Strycova said. "I think Paris was a much better match than today, but I managed to win this one so I'm very happy. She's a great player. It was very hot today and a long match, but this is what we train for."
Zahlavova Strycova's win over the No.14-ranked Kvitova was the best of her career, her only two previous Top 20 wins coming against No.15-ranked players (Flavia Pennetta at Monterrey in 2009, Nadia Petrova at Sydney this year).
Ivanovic leads Zahlavova Strycova in their head-to-head series, 1-0.
Kvitova was the only Top 16 seed to fall, although two others had big battles: No.10 seed Shahar Peer was down 6-4 4-3 and fended off two points for a 6-4 5-3 deficit to beat Bethanie Mattek-Sands, 4-6 7-6(5) 6-3; and No.15 seed Marion Bartoli came from a set down to defeat Monica Niculescu, 2-6 6-3 6-2.
Kim Clijsters, Vera Zvonareva, Francesca Schiavone and Jelena Jankovic moved into the third round in straight sets.
9 comments:
Captain did you post The Fist Pumping Imbecile's photo just to annoy me? Well, a picture is more than a thousand words, she is acting like an imbecile. :P She has an easy draw and she will lose to the first top opponent that she faces.
Coco, Oudin, and Bethanie went down in the second round. This is what I thought American women's tennis would become all winners in the first round all out before the third round.
Kvitova this is a bad loss for her, I see it as a step backward. The early loss in Dubai is forgiven because she had a tough tournament in Paris. What in the world happened?
In doubles Peschke/Srebotnik were upset in the first round while The Princess/Angry Bird advanced.
Saw this posted on Facebook.
---
Anya Chakvetadze
BREAKING NEWS : Anna rertired against Kirilenko while up 3-1 in the second set, losing the first. Just got a word from her she's feeling the same effects from Dubai and even fainted . She is on her way to see a doctor and have her heart and condition check, Lets wish her the BEST and to Feel Better . -JB-
---
Kimmie didn't look very sharp in her match with Errani. But, she won and will face Bartoli next.
Another update on Anna Chak:
---
UPDATE ON ANNA's Condition : She was kept in the hospital overnight for further tests and observation and was released today , No findings yet on her condition but she's feeling a little better and resting right now. Anna sends her Thank you and Appreciation to those who wished her to get well. Lets continue to pray for her Speedy recovery and cheer her on here
---
Poor Chak, just as she turns her career around, she gets something like this happen!
Yes, Kimmie looked ad, she even said she played a bad match, shes going to need to improve quickly, to get back to no. 1 again
Thanks for the update Caps321.
I'm wondering what is up with Licki health wise? She is fainting as if she was pregnant. :/ Licki can't seem to catch a break. :(
JJ plays against The Fist Pumping Imbecile in the next round. I'm hoping JJ dismantle T.F.P.I.
I saw photos of The Big Stuffed Bunny's dress, is she wearing a fancy dog collar? :P
Not a hot start for one of the brunettes on my good graces, Pennetta. I now think she is going down in the next round to Kleybanova, somewhere out there Caps321 will be saying, "I told you so". :P
I hope I don't wake up bold tomorrow but the woman with the funny looking receding hair line defeated Li Na. Keep an eye on Peng she can quietly go far in this tourney. As for Li, this is the second straight loss after reaching the AO 11 final. By no means this is a bad loss for Li but her gears have shifted backwards. For Peng a signature win.
Kuzzie was taken out by American McHale, who? :P Petko is also out, like Petra a step in the wrong direction. I expect more from this two young ladies an not lack luster performances.
Saturday in the Pac-10 tournament, Washington Huskies made a three point basket with five seconds remaining to send the game in overtime. The first time that the Pac-10 tournament final goes into overtime. In the extra time Washington made a three point buzzer beater to defeat the Arizona Wildcats and take the title. Dagws maul Cats! Ha! Oh no, wrong sport! How did college basketball cross my mind? :P
Carlos, JJ in straight, easy sets! I hope!
I like the bunnys dog collar dress, I think im the only one.
Li, has had dispointing results since the AO final, although both loses to quality players.
Kuzzie, very frustrating, looks to be getting back to her best, now think.
Worst 3rd round match, Dinara vs. Sammy...gosh. GO DINARA!
Ahahaha Carlos, I think I heard something about March Madness, not sure :P I think its March anyway...
Captain I consider you an expert in fashion because of your background.
I keep forgetting to ask you why you don't like Stosur? And why you didn't like Henin?
Ahahha, I guess I have a little experience. :P
Carlos I don't like Stosur because she is very over-rated in Australia, and I can not stand it. In every news report or article Stosur is basically the greatest player of all time. I get angry every time I hear it! Its very frustraiting, when Dokic won Malaysia there was no mention, when Stosur lost in Sydney (too Kuznetsova) it was like the world was going to end. Even if a player like Kim Clijsters, Serena or Venus Williams, Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer win a tournament like Indian Wells or Miami there is minimal mention. When Rafael Nadal pulled out of Wimbledon (being world number 1 and defend champion) there was a two paragraph (small paragraph) report in the news paper, when Serena pulled out of the Australian Open, there was again a very small news paper report where they called her Selena and failed to mention 5 wins in Australia and 13 over all; on the TV they said 5 time Australian Open champion Venus Williams with the ongoing foot injury. Yet Stosur, who is not a huge name in the world of tennis is the most amazing player; for two weeks leading up to January we got photos of her training... and a full page report on her preparations. I can not stand her and believe she is much lesser player than what she is made out to be.
I don't like Henin, because she is rude and a cheat (IMO) I also thing she is obnoxious and I really can't stand her attitude. But unlike in the case of Stosur, I have great respect for Henin and what a champion she is.
I do agree with you Captain on what you said about Henin. In layman's term she is an *ss.
Stosur is an under achiever on the hard courts and grass. You have valid points, she doesn't merit that much hype.
Post a Comment