By Erik Gudris | Friday, June 13, 2014

 

Ana Ivanovic is getting closer to her first ever grass court final at this week's Aegon Classic in Birmingham.

Photo Credit: Christopher Levy

Top seed Ana Ivanovic took a step closer in possibly reaching her first ever grass court singles final at this week's Aegon Classic in Birmingham.

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Her quarterfinal versus Czech Klara Koukalova proved an almost straightforward contest from start to finish. Ivanovic easily took the first set 6-1 as Koukalova struggled with a left leg issue. Despite being tied up at 3-all in the second, Ivanovic earned a key break to give her the advantage.

Soon, Ivanovic wrapped up the 6-1, 6-4 win and with it clinched a semifinal berth.

"I really felt I started well and I didn't do much wrong. I was really aggressive, coming in a lot. In the second set, I think I didn't come as much and she started to play actually a lot better in the second set. But really happy with the way I'm playing at the moment," Ivanovic said later to the event's website.

Ivanovic continues to enjoy a solid 2014 season that includes winning two WTA titles in Auckland and Monterrey.

Next up will be China's Zhang Shuai.

Zhang, one of the fastest rising players on tour this season, upset No. 3 seed Sloane Stephens in their quarterfinal meeting earlier.

With Stephens unable to hold serve for most of the match, it allowed Zhang to keep hold of her early momentum. Zhang completed the 6-1, 6-3 win to reach the final four.

On the other side of the draw, Australian Casey Dellacqua easily dispatched veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm 6-1, 6-0.

Dellacqua will next face Barbora Zahlavova-Strycova in the semis.