Former world No. 1 Ana Ivanovic provided hints on and off the court at the Dubai Open on Monday as to why her new coach might just provide the boost she needs to get back to the top of the world rankings.
The Serbian superstar teamed up with American Craig Kardon only last week — and her first match with his help produced an important revenge.
She won 7-5, 6-4 against Alisa Kleybanova, the aggressive Russian who caused a massive shock last month when she beat Ivanovic in the third round of the Australian Open in Melbourne.
PHOTO: AP
That was Ivanovic’s last match on the WTA Tour, but she took the opportunity to repair some of the damage at the first attempt, proving resilient when it mattered most.
She gained an early break for 4-1, lost it, and was pegged back for 5-5. But crucially, Ivanovic proved her readiness to fight as she squeezed out the first set.
The second was an even tighter steal, with both players holding serves through to 4-4, at which stage Ivanovic had to save a break point which might have opened the door for Kleybanova to take the match to a decider.
Instead she got to 5-4, which really threw the pressure back on the serve of the world No. 27. Kleybanova saved one match point superbly but on the second she succumbed to Ivanovic’s tenacious containing, angling a makable backhand volley into the net.
The win will also be a relief as Ivanovic’s record since winning the French Open last June is only 11 wins in 20 matches. She has not only been bothered by injury but has appeared to have lost her way.
Hence the importance of Kardon, who used to be coach to Martina Navratilova.
“We have practiced really well, on moving forward, coming to the net — simple things, because we haven’t had time to go into detail. But I feel I am achieving something every practice,” she said.
She now has a strong chance to reach a quarter-final, possibly against world No. 1 Serena Williams, because the other seed in her quarter, Agnieszka Radwanska, the No. 9, was beaten.
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