When Ana Ivanovic recorded a wonderful comeback victory over Samantha Stosur in the previous round I was ecstatic about her performance, but as soon as I realized that her next opponent would be world number one Serena Williams it was a major spoiler and I thought that Ivanovic would hit a brick wall – the American 17-time Grand Slam champion has been so dominant, boasts a record of most career match wins at the Australian Open (61) and was on a 25-match winning streak.
Amazingly, Ivanovic managed to go through the wall, aggressively returning Serena’s serves and dominating rallies, not allowing herself to think about the caliber of her opponent and the fact that she had never won a set against her in their four previous meetings. What has to be mentioned is that Serena’s movement was not at her best, as she was troubled by a back injury numbed with painkillers, but we all know that Serena is always a threat, can play through injuries and especially with a head case such as Ivanovic.
Serena opened the match with an ace, but in that same game Ivanovic earned three break points, and not converting any of them, Ivanovic used her chance in game five and broke for a 3-2 lead. Serena, though, immediately broke back to love and four games later the set was hers. Ivanovic didn’t let the setback of losing the first disappoint her and until the end of the encounter she didn’t allow Williams a single break point! In the second set Ivanovic again broke her opponent’s serve in the fifth game, but this time consolidated it, while in the third set she surged to a 3-0 lead and finished the astonishing upset by serving out the match to love. Overall, Serena served 13 aces in the match and the 14th-seeded Ivanovic just one. Final score: 4-6 6-3 6-3.
Ivanovic’s quarterfinal obstacle will be Eugenie Bouchard, who stopped Australian hope Casey Dellacqua, bageling her in the deciding set 6-7(5) 6-2 6-0. (photo: © Neal Trousdale)
Such a great night to stay up and watch Aus Open! Ana learned how to persevere, and Novak pummeled away!
If Ana wins the tournament, we can be sure of two things: Ana will make a speech at 200 words per minute. Your coming article will be written in bold font, from start to end!
Go Ana! She deserves to make a full run. There is an opportunity now, and she is the one who created this opportunity. Hopefully, she will seize it.
A thought has just occurred to me. We could have what everyone hoped for with Ana and JJ in top form 5 or 6 years ago. An all Serbian final. Please don’t let that jinx JJ or Ana. JJ will have couple of tough matches coming up though. Halep won’t be easy, than Maria, than Azarenka. Please lord lets have no grunters in the final.
Pinky ; completely agree. Let’s have no grunters in the final. I’m a Sam Stosur fan but am delighted Ivanovic is through .
Ana a head case? No way. Serena, JJ, Sloane and others are head cases!!! The press had cast Serena as invincable and sure winner. We all know that isn’t the way it is in tennis. Afterall, Azarenka has won the past two Australia Opens and had Serena beaten the one before until she became sick during the match. Long live the Queen but remember she is only human!
Djordje, I’m really stunned. Shoot me but I didn’t expect this from Ana.
Gregoire, I would love that outcome, the most!
P!nky, such a pity JJ’s out 🙁 And Maria’s out too!
JohnnyB, Ana can melt out, but this time she didn’t,
It was definitely a fun match to watch and an exciting, well deserved win for Ana. Looking forward to her next round vs Bouchard. At this point I’d love to see an Azarenka/Ivanovic final.
Regardless it’s been a fun slam on the women’s side and always nice to see some different faces making it to the later rounds.
I think Ana should win Bouchard, who is having great tournament too, but I do not believe she will win Li Na. I am predicting a final between Li and Azarenka but this time I hope Li would finally win Australian Open.
Anyway, reaching the semis would be really great result for Ana because I don’t think anybody REALLY expected it. What a start to 2014 has it been for Ana!
I was very disappointed when Serena lost, but have nothing against Ivanovic. I’m actually a lot more interested in who wins the title now (though I’d still would have wanted Serena to have pulled it out vs Ana lol). There’s so many great players and storylines left in the draw! Usually I pull for Vika after Serena, but honestly I have no idea who to cheer for. I’m pulling for Bouchard since she’s a young upstart, but wouldn’t mind seeing Ana back in the semis.
But overall based on form plus Ana’s hip, I think it’ll be a Vika-Li final. I’ll be pulling for Li this time since she’s older and already lost 2 Aussie finals!
Sad to see Ana lose to Genie, but that’s sport. I’m still encouraged that Ana was more composed now than before.
Ana Ivanovic is playing well after her comback on the court & i predict that she well rock in the coming year.