Ana Ivanovic Wins First Title In Two Years

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Ana Ivanovic Wins First Title In Two Years

Shanghai Rolex Masters ATP
- Official Site
- Order of Play
- Singles Draw
- Doubles Draw
- Live Scores

HP Japan Women's Open WTA
- Official Site
- Order of Play
- Singles Draw
- Doubles Draw
- Qualifying Draw
- Live Scores

Generali Ladies Linz WTA
- Official Site
- Order of Play
- Singles Draw
- Doubles Draw
- Qualifying Draw
- Live Scores

By Alberto Amalfi
© Generali Ladies Linz; Tony Chang/Chang Photography

(October 17, 2010) Ana Ivanovic unleashed a rousing return rout to snap a two-year title drought and reclaim the Linz championship. Ripping returns with the authority she displayed in her days as World No. 1, Ivanovic broke serve six times in a 6-1, 6-2, 47-minute demolition of Patty Schnyder in today's Generali Ladies Linz final.

The 22-year-old Ivanovic won her ninth career title and first championship since she claimed the 2008 Linz crown. Ivanovic raised her record in finals to 9-4 after dispensing Schnyder in the shortest final of the year.

"Patty’s a tough opponent and I honestly didn’t expect this scoreline," said Ivanovic. "But I did take a lot of risk and tried to be aggressive and step in, and it was working for me today. I had confidence from the last few matches and that helped me to stay aggressive today. Even though there were a few tough games I still believed in my shots and came up with some good points."

Nine days ago, Ivanovic was not even planning to play Linz after completing an Asian swing of play in Tokyo and Beijing.

A week ago, Ivanovic accepted a wild card as a late replacement for 13-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, who was scheduled to make her return to tournament tennis in Linz, but pulled out last Sunday after injuring her right foot in a Florida training session.

"I feel very good here and I’m very happy to have come back this year and win the title again," Ivanovic said. "It’s amazing how some things work out. I’m really glad I took the opportunity."

Setting the tone for a thorough thrashing in the opening set, Ivanovic won 13 of 18 points played on Schnyder's serve and converted all three break points to breeze through the opening set.

The left-handed Swiss is a spin doctor who can befuddle opponents with her ability to hit heavy topspin and change the height and pace of her shots, but Schnyder had no answer for Ivanovic's immense power advantage.

Empowered by her play in the opening set, Ivanovic stormed out to a 5-0 lead in just 15 minutes the second set, but stumbled slightly when she tried to close. Ivanovic dropped serve when she served for the match the first time, but righted herself and fired a forehand winner to earn championship point.

Closing emphatically in style, Ivanovic issued her 25th ace of the tournament to seal the title. She did not surrender a set in the tournament.

The 31-year-old Schnyder suffered her third final Linz loss in the last five years. She was runner-up to Nadia Petrova in 2005 and lost to Daniela Hantuchova in the 2007 final. Schnyder said Ivanovic was simply overwhelming.

"First and second place it was her performance," said Schnyder. "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."

It was Ivanovic's first final since she fell to Vera Zvonareva in the 2009 Indian Wells final.

The seventh-seeded Serbian swept Robert Vinci, 6-3, 7-5, in Saturday's semifinals to set up the final showdown with Schnyder, who had split eight prior meetings with Ivanovic prior to today's blowout.

"I really feel comfortable here. It feels almost like home," said Ivanovic. "The atmosphere is really nice and the courts play well. I really enjoy competing here. I am happy to be playing well and have this many wins here this week."