News Archive

   NEWS OF  Canberra Women's Classic

  12.01.2005 
      Ana's Brave Run Continues

Australia’s Evie Dominikovic is out of the Richard Luton Properties Canberra Women’s Classic after losing to fellow qualifier Ana Ivanovic of Serbia and Montenegro today.
Dominikovic had chances to take the match, but Ivanovic eventually triumphed after three thrilling sets 5-7, 6-3, 6-4.
Ana played well but I was pretty disappointed today," Dominikovic said.
"My game wasn’t at the level it has been for the past few matches and yet I only just lost, so there is no reason I can’t go out next time and beat the girl.
She played well and she deserved it on the day, but I’m disappointed.
I had chances, but my forehand let me down and that is normally my weapon."
Last year Ivanovic’s world ranking rose from No.705 to No.97 and she is likely to climb again after making her second quarter final in just her fifth Sony Ericsson WTA tour sanctioned event.
I was really pushed to my maximum today, she played very well and it was a very tough match," Ivanovic said.
It was hot and windy so it was difficult to play, so I was very happy to win the match."
In the first set Ivanovic raced to a 4-1 lead and then had a set point opportunity at 4-5, before Dominikovic held and then broke to take the set.
Ivanovic against raced to an early lead in the second and this time closed it out 6-3.
In the third set Dominikovic took the early break and she led 3-1 and 40-15 before Ivanovic fought back and then seized control.
Ivanovic will face fourth seed Marion Bartoli of France in the quarterfinals tomorrow after Bartoli won a hard fought match against world junior No.1 Michaella Krajicek of the Netherlands.

Richard Luton Properties Canberra Women’s Classic official site

   NEWS OF  Canberra Women's Classic

    13.01.2005 
       I was a little nervous to start with ...

Qualifier Ana Ivanovic of Serbia and Montenegro went through to her first WTA semi-final after beating fourth seed Marion Bartoli of France.
After some early nerves Ivanovic quickly settled, racing away with the first set 6-1.
At the end of the set Bartoli called for the trainer for treatment on both hamstrings. In front of a large crowd Bartoli attempted to play on, but after losing the first two games of the second set, she informed chair umpire Troy Hancock that she would be unable to continue.
It handed Ivanovic a semi-final berth in just her fifth WTA sanctioned event.
"I was a little nervous to start with and I had two break points against me in the first game, but when I managed to win that game I felt much more relaxed and I played much better," Ivanovic said.
"It gives me a lot of confidence for tomorrow. My serve was much better tonight and I hit some good groundstrokes.
"I’m very excited about playing in the semi-final."
Ivanovic will play Ukrainian youngster Yuliana Fedak in what shapes as an enthralling semi-final after Fedak ousted top seeded Italian Silvia Farina Elia in straight sets.

   NEWS OF  Canberra Women's Classic

     14.01.2005 
    Ana showed no sign of nerves

     Ana showed no sign of nerves in her first Sony Ericsson WTA Tour semifinal, brushing past Yuliana Fedak of the Ukraine in straight sets 61 62.
"It was very hot today but when you get into your game you don't think about that and I was very happy with how I played," Ivanovic said.
"I wasn't so happy with my first serve today, but my second serve was good and I had good rhythm on my ground strokes.
"It will be strange to play Melinda again after playing her a few days ago, but I know a little about her now and I think the final is up to me.
"It is my first WTA final so I'm happy to be playing and hopefully I can play well."

   NEWS OF  Canberra Women's Classic

  15.01.2005 

Qualifier Ivanovic Wins Canberra For First Title

CANBERRA, Australia - Seventeen-year-old Ana Ivanovic of Serbia and Montenegro won her first Sony Ericsson WTA Tour title Saturday after beating Melinda Czink in a history-making final of the Richard Luton Properties Canberra Women's Classic.

In just her fifth Tour-sanctioned event, Ivanovic showed nerves of steel to take the match in straight sets 75 61.

"It's an amazing feeling," Ivanovic said. "I didn't expect to win this tournament. I was a little nervous in the beginning today and she (Czink) was playing very well.

"It was a tough match and I am very excited to be the winner. It is my first WTA title and it will give me more energy to keep working hard and to keep improving."

In an amazing turn of events Ivanovic met Czink in the final after having already beaten the 22-year-old Hungarian in the final round of qualifying.

Czink received a second chance as a lucky loser following the withdrawal from the main draw of Katarina Srebotnik through injury. She made the most of that chance to make the final.

It was the first time in Tour history that a qualifier and lucky loser have met again in a main draw final. Ivanovic is also the first qualifier to win the Canberra Women's Classic.

While disappointed to lose, Czink said she would take plenty of confidence from her performance.

"I'm very happy with how I have played this week, but I'm disappointed that I didn't play my best tennis today," Czink said. "It was a match I could have won, but I didn't take my chances when they came. I think we were both quite nervous in the start, but Ana played a great match. She's a very good young player."

Czink had a chance to take the first set when she served for it at 5-4, but Ivanovic broke to level at 5-all, and then again to take the set 7-5.

Czink lost concentration early in the second set and Ivanovic quickly took a stranglehold on the match as she raced to a 4-0 lead. Czink held to make it 5-1, but then Ivanovic served out the match.

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