Ivanovic, who has suffered a fall from summit during the last few years, struggled into the second round of the French Open. PHOTO: AFP
Ivanovic was 5-0 up in the decider before nerves set in and she wasted four match points.
However, she settled herself in the ninth game, taking victory after almost two hours when Martic hit long.
“The conditions were heavy and it was cold, but it wasn’t an issue,” said Ivanovic. “It was an up and down performance.”
On the other hand, Serena Williams enjoyed an easier ride and buried the ghosts of her 2012 French Open horror show to storm into the second round.
The 31-year-old Serena, bidding for a 16th Grand Slam title, suffered her worst defeat at a major in Paris 12 months ago when she was dumped out of the first round by Frenchwoman Virginie Razzano.
But yesterday, Serena extended her current winning streak to 25, the best of her career, with a 6-0, 6-1 demolition of Georgia’s Anna Tatishvili, the world number 80.
“I am very happy, I feel very strong and I have been playing really well for the last three months,” said the American.
No problems for Federer
In the men’s draw, Roger Federer, the 2009 champion and hunting an 18th major, saw off Spanish qualifier Pablo Carreno-Busta, the world number 166, 6-2, 6-2, 6-3.
Federer, playing in his 15th Roland Garros, was too strong for the debutant, building the foundation for victory with a break in the opening game of all three sets.
“I didn’t know a great deal about my opponent. He played really well and has a great future,” said the 31-year-old Federer after his win — his 55th career victory at Roland Garros.
Sixth-seeded Aisam-Rojer to begin campaign on May 30
Meanwhile, Pakistan tennis ace Aisamul Haq Qureshi and Dutch partner Jean-Julien Rojer, seeded sixth, will begin their campaign on May 30.
The pair will play their first-round match at the men’s doubles event against unseeded Russian pair Evgeny Donskoy and Dimitri Tursunov.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 27th, 2013.
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