Ana Ivanovic
By Curt Janka
CARLSBAD, California – Playing some of her sharpest tennis of the year, Ana Ivanovic swept past Shuai Peng in straight sets 6-4, 6-2 to reach just her second semifinal of 2011. But it wasn’t all smiles and “Adjes†from Ivanovic who trailed 1-4 in the first set, before seizing control of the match.
Ivanovic said in the beginning “I was a little bit pushing, a little bit trying not to make a mistake.†Things changed after she called her coach to the court. “Nigel said, ‘Stay calm, keep hitting the ball, work the ball.’ I started doing that a little better and it made a difference.â€
Peng Shuai
Ivanovic got back into the match playing aggressive, attacking ground strokes. After Peng squandered the lead and lost the first set, she was visited by the trainer to receive treatment on her lower back. Despite the injury, Peng never lost any zip on her powerful ground strokes. In fact she began shortening the points when possible, hitting aggressive returns for winners. But with her movement not at top form, Peng was unable to keep the ball in play during the longer rallies. And while Peng’s shots began to spray, Ivanovic hit with more and more confidence to close the second set out quickly.
Ana Ivanovic
Ivanovic will play the top seed, Vera Zvonareva in the second semifinal tomorrow. When asked if she was looking forward to the matchup she replied, “Yeah, I’m very excited about that challenge because she’s a top player. It’s going to be a good test for me to see where my game is at.â€
Curt Janka is covering the Mercury Insurance Open in Carlsbad this week. for Tennis Panorama News. Follow his updates on twitter at @GVTennisNews. Follow his personal twitter @CurtJanka.
MERCURY INSURANCE OPEN
Carlsbad, CA, USA
August 1-7, 2011
$721,000/Premier
Hard/Outdoors
Results – Friday, August 5, 2011
Singles – Quarterfinals
(1) Vera Zvonareva (RUS) d. (12) Sabine Lisicki (GER) 63 36 64
(2) Andrea Petkovic (GER) d. (WC) Sloane Stephens (USA) 62 61
(3) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) d. (8) Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) 06 64 64
(5) Ana Ivanovic (SRB) d. (4) Peng Shuai (CHN) 64 62
Doubles – Quarterfinals
Kops-Jones/Spears (USA/USA) d. (2) Dulko/Pennetta (ARG/ITA) 75 26 1210 (Match TB)
Order of Play – Saturday, August 6, 2011
Stadium Court (from 11.30hrs)
1. Peschke/Srebotnik vs. Errani/Vinci
2. Agnieszka Radwanska vs. Andrea Petkovic (NB 14.00hrs)
3. Vera Zvonareva vs. Ana Ivanovic (NB 19.00hrs)
4. Dushevina/Hradecka vs. Kops-Jones/Spears
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