Wimbledon 2009: Ana Ivanovic survives thriller to progress
Wimbledon 2009: Ana Ivanovic survives thriller to progress
Wimbledon 2009: Ana Ivanovic survives thriller to progress
Ana Ivanovic had to save two match points against Lucie Hradecka to score a 5-7 6-2 8-6 win and advance to the Wimbledon second round.
Hradecka had a determined air about her as she made Ivanovic’s shots look as flimsy as the wispy layers of the Serb’s skirt.
The Czech pumped her fists in celebration as Ivanovic’s backhand went long to hand her the first set on her first appearance in the main draw at Wimbledon.
Ivanovic swapped her racket at 2-2 in the second which seemed to do the trick as she immediately broke and did not drop another game in the set.
Ivanovic, who looked to be tossing the ball slightly out of line before serving, broke in the ninth game of the decider.
She was then serving for the match but Hradecka fired another unreachable backhand to save match point.
After breaking, the Czech then held and earned two match points of her own but Ivanovic smashed her way out of trouble.
Two games later, the Serb looked up to the sky in thanks after a lucky net cord set her up with two more match points and she snatched victory when Hradecka’s service return went wide.
Ivanovic will next face Sara Errani for a place in the third round.
Photo credit should read CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images
