By Erik Gudris | Monday, April 28, 2014

 

Last week is one that Rafael Nadal will likely want to forget while Ana Ivanovic enjoyed being back on the marquee for a big final.

Photo Credit: AP

The biggest result from last week didn't even happen in a final.

Nicolas Almagro and his jubilant, some even said excessive, celebration on finally defeating Rafael Nadal after 11 tries in the Barcelona quarterfinals raised some eyebrows. But not as much as Nadal's second straight loss in a row on clay to a fellow Spaniard he had previously owned throughout his career.

What's Next: Thoughts on Nadal

While theories abound as to the causes of this sudden rash of defeats on Nadal's favorite surface, it's probably best not to sell stock in Nadal just yet. With this loss, and his previous defeat to David Ferrer in Monte Carlo, many are very tempted to sound the panic alarm about the world No. 1. Similar angst happened a few years ago when another Spaniard, Fernando Verdasco, beat Nadal in Madrid on the now infamous blue clay that will likely never be seen again.

If Nadal rebounds in Madrid and Rome in a few weeks, then these recent losses will be long forgotten. If Nadal still struggles, then his grip on the French Open title may be in doubt. Though never forget that trying to beat Nadal in five sets in Paris remains the toughest question for any player to answer.

The biggest takeaway from Nadal's early exit is that it continues the ongoing theme this year on the ATP tour that nothing, even expected results, are certain anymore. It may be too soon to hit the panic button over Nadal, but one can't hit the snooze button anymore and sleep through this already engaging part of the season.

Ivanovic's Marquee Week in Stuttgart

Ana Ivanovic may have come in second to Maria Sharapova in Stuttgart, but the likable Serbian got the bigger round of applause during Sunday's trophy ceremony. It's not that Stuttgart doesn't love their now three-time reigning champion, but the rousing ovation was more an appreciation of Ivanovic's efforts all week and a resounding approval at seeing her back in a big final.

Stuttgart: Sharapova Wins Third Straight Title Over Ivanovic

Event organizers billed Sunday's concluding round as the "dream final" between two of the WTA's most high profile names, despite the fact that neither was a top seed. That speaks more to each player's recent struggles, especially Ivanovic and her roller coaster last few years. When Ivanovic lost a close quarterfinal to Sharapova in Stuttgart the previous year and then reached the Madrid semis soon after, many thought the former No. 1 was finally putting her "A" game back together. But it was only a brief peak before more so-so results followed.

Only when Ivanovic surprised many by parting ways with her then coach Nigel Sears after Wimbledon and then choosing to remain with her less high-profile hitting partner Nemanja Kontic did things really start to improve. Ivanovic has charged out of the gates this season by winning two titles (Auckland, Monterrey) and earning her first ever victory over world No. 1 Serena Williams in Melbourne.

Nothing in Ivanovic's overall game has changed that much. Her service toss is still as errant as ever though not quite as unpredictable. The biggest difference in Ivanovic is her demeanor on court. She's still prone to swaying emotions, but she looks less skittish and less unsure of herself from even a year ago. Ivanovic remains a momentum player and when she gets on a hot streak, especially with her favorite forehand, she is hard to stop. It's only when she cools off or, as is the case yesterday when Sharapova ramped up the pressure early in that third set, that Ivanovic can blink. Figuring out a way to overcome those tough moments and, perhaps literally, stare down the toughest players in those tense moments, may just be what Ivanovic needs to take that long expected big step back into the top 10.

There's already some talk of Ivanovic as a French Open contender. That may be premature, but the fact that Ivanovic is showing much of the form that took her to that title five years ago is a welcome sight for many tennis fans. For too long, Ivanovic struggled with being a must-have name for events, but only based on her past results. So far this year, Ivanovic keeps proving she deserves to see her name in lights, bigger and brighter than ever.