Ana Ivanovic started the new season with a bang, winning her first title in more than two years by defeating Venus Williams in the ASB Classic final, and her movements resembling those of Rafael Nadal can assure us that she means business in 2014.
After victories over Alison Riske, Johanna Larsson, Kurumi Nara and third seed Kirsten Flipkens, Ivanovic’s final challenge was the seven-time Grand Slam champion Williams, against whom she made a great start by winning five straight games to take the first set and then proceeding to being one game away from victory at 6-2 5-3. However, the Williams sister is one of the biggest tennis names for a reason and she won all the games that she had to win to take the second set 7-5, even saving a match point on the way. In the third set, the world No.16 Ivanovic kept her cool and after breaking Williams at love in the opening game of the set, she held firmly to that lead, saved four of four Williams’ opportunities to break, and eventually triumphed 6-2 5-7 6-4.
The 2014 ASB Classic title is Ivanovic’s 12th WTA title.
Glad to see Ana winning a title, lets hope these good results can continue and maybe she can crack the top ten.
I am so happy to see this take place. Let’s hope it is one of many trophies for Ana this year! This means she has already qualified for the “small” wta final in Sofia, and may be able to qualify for Istanbul!
hahah great photos side by side.