Ana Ivanovic ended a title drought stretching back two years by defeating Switzerland’s Patty Schnyder 6-1, 6-2 to win the Generali Ladies in Linz on Sunday.
The seventh-seeded Serb had reached four semi-finals this season, but had failed to win a tournament since she triumphed at the same event in 2008.
Schnyder, who also lost the 2005 and 2007 Linz finals, as well as a final in Budapest this year, remains without a title since she won in Bali in 2008.
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The former French Open champion did not drop a set all week and wrapped up the final in just 47 minutes.
It might have been even swifter had she not conceded her serve when leading 5-0 in the second set and then allowed Schnyder to hold serve for the only time in the match.
“Patty’s a tough opponent and I honestly didn’t expect this scoreline, but I did take a lot of risk and tried to be aggressive and step in, and it was working for me today,” said Ivanovic, who will compete in Luxembourg this week.
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Schnyder began the match with two double-faults and went on to drop her opening service game when Ivanovic forced a backhand error and although Schnyder then broke in the next game, a further break for 3-1 when Schnyder netted a weak backhand put the Serbian back in charge.
Ivanovic closed out the first set by winning the last 10 points and broke for 1-0 in the second when Schnyder mishit a forehand.
A fifth double-fault then gave Ivanovic a further break for 3-0 and a brilliantly executed forehand around the net-post, hit while on the run, left Ivanovic leading 5-0.
“I had confidence from the last few matches and that helped me to stay aggressive today,” Ivanovic said. “Even though there were a few tough games, I still believed in my shots and came up with some good points.”
Ironically, Ivanovic had not even intended to play the event, but she accepted a late invitation to replace the injured Serena Williams.
“It’s amazing how some things work out. I’m really glad I took the opportunity,” Ivanovic said. “I feel very good here, and I’m very happy to have come back this year and win the title again.”
Schnyder admitted that she failed to take her early opportunities, but that Ivanovic was simply too good for her on the day.
“First and second place, it was her performance,” Schnyder said. “She really played great right from the start, taking the ball so early. It put a lot of pressure on me. I had the two double-faults and also in the next game I had two points to make my serve, and then it really went away.”
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