Ivanovic ends Jankovic’s title defence in Indian Wells, Clijsters leaves injured

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Wilson Blade 9

In the encounter of two Serbian players and former No.1s, Ana Ivanovic eliminated defending champion Jelena Jankovic 6-4 6-2 in the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open. Ivanovic, who won the tournament in 2008, having defeated Jankovic in the semifinals, has now extended her career record against the compatriot to 7-3.

Sixth-seeded Jankovic, who defeated current world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki to win the Indian Wells title last year, converted only one of seven break opportunities and after the match, the 26-year-old said how she felt flat, how her feet were not moving and her best game was not there. Ivanovic, on the other hand, was solid and took advantage of Jankovic’s weaknesses.

Quarterfinal opponent of the nineteenth-seeded Ivanovic will be Marion Bartoli. The Frenchwoman advanced when Kim Clijsters retired from their fourth-round encounter with a shoulder injury, despite winning the first set. Clijsters has been taking painkillers for the shoulder problem since before she won the 2011 Australian Open.

Here’s how concerned Clijsters is about the injury: “On hard courts I know that I am able to control it. I’m concerned for what’s coming up next, and that’s the claycourt season.”

5 COMMENTS

  1. It’s nice to see Ana playing well again, the begining of the year wasn’t promising. I hope she’ll continue like this, she has a good chance to make it to at least final.

  2. I saw that match and JJ wasn’t happy. That cold as ice handshake in the end…these two are definitely not friends. However, Ana was the one who dictated the play and JJ couldn’t somehow find a weapon which would work. I don’t think that she’ll end up in top 10 in the end of the year playing like this.

  3. Bravo Ana! I was surprised by her performance in this match. Jelena has played very good lately (Doha, Dubai and VS Julia Georges) and I was afraid that Ana will give up at the beginning of the match. I hope that she will play very good against Marion Bartoli. Wish Kim quick recovery.

  4. Very sorry for Kim 🙁 Bottom half of the draw is now wide open.

    Caroline has a huge opportunity for the French. She has the game, she has the fit, opponents are weak. Go caro for IW and RG!

  5. I was for JJ… She’s the player who is more sympathic. Ana Ivanovic often seems to be very imaginary.

    Good luck for Kim! I hope she’ll be back soon. She has to!

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