News Archive

   NEWS of  Rogers Cup

 21.08.2006      Ana captured her second career title – and her first at Tier I level – by thrashing former world No.1 Martina Hingis 6-2, 6-3 in the final of the Rogers Cup.   

      Ana, clad in an attractive light orange adidas top and black skirt, played a peach of a match. She completely overwhelmed the world No.13 in a 59-minute display relentless power and control.
    With this victory, undoubtedly the greatest accomplishment of her career so far, Ana wins the US Open series, which effectively means that she was the best player during the pre-US Open American hard court season.
    Demonstrating the kind of fearless hitting that has thrilled crowds at the Uniprix Stadium all week, Ana made a dominant start. Though she lost the opening two points of the match as Hingis served, she rattled off the next four. The break was sealed with a wrong-footing backhand winner.
    Ana began the second game brilliantly too, putting away a volley then serving an ace. We were seeing Ana’s full repertoire of shots and Hingis, like Ana’s other opponents in Canada, simply had no answer. The 18-year-old even came off better in the lengthier rallies.
    Ana hit 11 winners in the opening five games and had two set points as the Swiss served at 1-5. Hingis saved them, then called for her mother Melanie Molitor to join her on court for one-and-a-half minutes of coaching, as per the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour’s trial with tuition during matches.
    Whatever was said during the change of ends, it had no effect as Ana wrapped up the opening set after just 27 minutes. She executed her gameplan to perfection by dominating the 25-year-old.
    It was more of the same at the beginning of the second set as Ana earned a break point in the first game. She showed excellent retrieval skills and but could not convert it when given the opportunity by a generous Hingis. Ana smiled to herself after missing the attempted pass – a sign that she was very much at ease on the court.
    As the match entered a crucial period, Ana pounced. She sealed her third break of the match in the seventh game with a backhand pass and added a fourth for good measure as Hingis served at 3-5. Ana thrust her arms aloft in celebration of a most comprehensive victory.
    In a remarkable performance that was very much in keeping with Ana’s recent view that immense power is the future of the women’s game, she hit 23 winners, three aces and did not face a single break point.
    “I’m so excited I don’t know where to begin,” said Ana during the trophy presentation.
    “First of all I’d like to congratulate Martina for a great tournament and some great matches. I would like to thank the sponsors, Rogers, Bank National and Sony Ericsson for making this tournament possible.
    “It was a pleasure to be here. The crowd was just great. I so much appreciate that you came here on Monday instead of working! It was just amazing.
    “I’d also like to thank my coach and my mum for being here this week, and also my father and my brother and the rest of the family who were following at home in front of the TV. Unfortunately they couldn’t be here, but thank you very much.
    “I’m really happy that I have my first Tier I title here and I’m so much looking forward to coming back.”

    By Gavin Versi
  www.anaivanovic.com   

   NEWS of  Rogers Cup

22.08.2006         From Ana`s diary

    I am in New York already! It feels great to be the winner of this big tournament. This is definitely the biggest moment in my career so far. I’m really, really happy. I think Montreal will always be a special place for me.
     When I won, I didn’t know how to react. It wasn’t like the match against Srebotnik, where I was jumping up and down. I was really happy with the way I played and felt good on the court.
    The first thing after the match I went to see my mum and David. But then she had to rush back to the hotel to pack. Actually, we almost missed our flight!
    After that I had a quick shower, then I did press, then there is a tradition in Montreal where the tournament staff drink champagne with the winner. So I opened the bottle and had a little drink to celebrate with them!
    I have to say I am a little bit surprised by how quickly I have improved since I started working with my new team. A lot of it has to do with confidence. I feel that every part of my game has got stronger with the help of David and Scott.
    This is an unbelievable reward for me. I put in a lot of hard work but I didn’t expect this so fast. I’m just happy that it came and it’s a big motivation for me to keep this level and even improve it.
    I didn’t know that I had won the US Open Series until after the match. I wasn’t thinking about it at all. It was a real surprise for me and I am happy about this also.
    Each tournament I played in America, I played better and better, especially this week. I think I played some good tennis so I probably deserved to win it. It makes me even more excited about the US Open.
    I won’t practice tennis tomorrow but I will still have a workout in the morning. Then in the afternoon the first priority is shopping!
    In the evening we will go to a restaurant to celebrate. Me, my mum and David were joking after the match because David said earlier in the week that if I won the tournament he would take us out for a very expensive meal – so I hope he has enough money!
    I have always said that I still feel this is the beginning of my career. This is probably a big step for me because now I feel I am one of the top players. It is going to be interesting to see how far I can go.
    It is always great to know that there are a lot of people supporting me. I am very grateful for this!

    Love   
   Ana
  www.anaivanovic.com