Presently, in the tennis world, Ana Ivanovic is ranked number four. She did not look like a top ten seed in her semi final match with Daniela Hantuchova, at the Australian Open. In fact, the beginning of the match was a disaster for Ms Ivanovic:

• lost the first set: 6 - 0
• lost the first eight games
• lost an early break in the second set
• the match was forty six minutes old before Ms Ivanovic won a game

It looked horrible for Ms Ivanovic but, much to her credit, she fought back from that terrible start and won. It was: 0-6, 6-3 and 6-4. It was a battle. And that lets her through to the championship match against Maria Sharapova.

There are some commentators who think that this difficult match gives Ms Ivanovic confidence and momentum for the championship duel with Maria Sharapova. However, another way of looking at this dramatic comeback in the semi finals is that it was draining. It may have been draining physically and emotionally. It was a struggle for Ms Ivanovic. Just making it to the championship match, after such a horrid start in the semi finals, is a victory of major proportions. She cannot afford a poor start against Maria Sharapova.

Further, for all the determination that Ms Ivanovic exhibited in her comeback against Daniela Hantuchova, it also exposed some weaknesses in her game and early game jitters. Undoubtedly, that was noted by Ms Sharapova and her immediate circle.

Advantage, Ms Sharapova…

Catherine Forsythe
Director of Operations
FlyingHamster: http://flyinghamster.com/

Tags: tennis, australian open, ana ivanovic, maria sharapova, daniela hantuchova