Defending champion Ana Ivanovic was surprisingly beaten 6-3, 6-1 by China’s Zi Yan in the second round of Toronto. Yan, a Grand Slam champion in doubles, played well above her ranking of 169, giving Ana no time to get into rhythm.
I think that Ivanovic was tired, both emotionally and physically, since she won the East West Bank Classic in Los Angeles just a few days ago. Anyway, it’s probably even better that she lost this early in the tournament because she’ll have more time to practice for the US Open.
Fifth-seeded Anna Chakvetadze, with hardcourt wins in Cincinnati and Stanford last month, also didn’t advance to the third round. The Russian trailed 6-7 (5-7), 0-2 when she was forced to retire due to flulike symptoms.
In addition, eighth-seeded Elena Dementieva was beaten 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-2 by Francesca Schiavone, while Meghann Shaughnessy defeated No. 16 seed Lucie Safarova 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.
At least first and second seed are still in action at the Rogers Cup. Justine Henin, who hasn’t played since losing to Marion Bartoli in Wimbledon semifinals, beat Andreja Klepac 6-3, 6-1 and will next face Shuai Peng, ranked 58th. Jelena Jankovic cruised past tired Canadian Marie-Eve Pelletier 6-0, 6-1. (via ESPN)
