Ivanovic blows 5-1 lead in third set against Clijsters in Miami

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Wilson Blade 9

Ana Ivanovic has a lot to regret after her fourth round match against Kim Clijsters at the Sony Ericsson Open. The 19th-ranked Serb was so close to recording what would be a huge confidence-boosting victory and in fact one of the biggest wins of her career, but the outcome of the match made her break her racquet and cry a bit as she lost 7-6(4) 3-6 7-6(5) despite a 5-1 lead  and five match points in the deciding set.

Stunning facts of this rain-delayed encounter are that Ivanovic converted only 5 of 22 break points and she finished the match with more points and games won than defending champion and world No.2 Clijsters!

Ivanovic was also in doubles competition with Andrea Petkovic, but since both are tired from their last singles matches (Petkovic had a tough victory over sixth seed Jelena Jankovic in the quarterfinals), they have withdrawn from doubles. (photo: © Neal Trousdale)

8 COMMENTS

  1. Ana, Ana, Ana…What to say? I know Kim can get away with situations like 5:1 and match points, but, really, couldn’t Ana hold her serve for once, she had two chances?!She managed to do it through match before. I’m just guessing she was too nervous and Kim played well, cause we couldn’t watch the match.

  2. Whaat? Oh my goodness, are you kidding me??? This reminds me of Myskina at Athens. Cannot believe that she’s blown such an opportunity. I bet she must be kicking herself at the moment.

  3. Yes, Ana has A LOT to regret but she will get over it. It is good decision to both of them to withdraw from doubles (although they are irresistible :-)).Ana also has withdrawn from Marbella tournament. “It is with a heavy heart that I am making this withdrawal. I’ve had so many small things go wrong with my body this past month, and it’s only thanks to the brilliance of my doctor that I’ve been able to compete in Indian Wells and Miami.I’ve been doing therapy every day and it’s taken its toll. I don’t feel I can continue struggling this way, onto another tournament. I need a break, and unfortunately that means that I have decided to withdraw from Marbella”. I think that it is good decision – to recover her body and spirit.

  4. Ana sounds and looks pretty exhausted :/ , I think she should gain some weight during this little break. She’s maybe faster now, but she just doesn’t have the strenght right now, and she is mainly an offensive player.

  5. Oops, it seems she’s in real trouble, not just nerves this time. She definitely did the right thing, it’s not worth risking an injury because of some small event. Hopefully this won’t affect her rise to the top of the rankings.

  6. No doubt Anna should’ve won this match, she already had the game to do so, she just needed the mental toughness to take care of bizness on the big points that mattered in the final set. She clearly had kim on the ropes — all she had to do was knock her out and TAKE the win.

    Sharapova was closerthanthis to losing to alexandra dulgheru in the quarters, even injured her ankle in the final moments of the match, yet still showed courage to muscle out the victory. IMO either Vera or Vika will win this tourny, Andrea still isn’t ready and Maria’s serving game is woefully lacking.

  7. I was so mad that they couldn’t show this on tv since they were playing on an outside court. I would’ve liked to see it.

  8. thats what pretty much sums up what is going inside Ana s head.She has no confidence and to lose a lead and match like that will further dampen her spirits.Ana at this time is so desperate and if I were her handlers I will encourage her to have a dog or any pet on tour so that she will start thinking of other things beside herself.She has to have reliable people around her who understand her emotional mindset and can calm her fears.Her mother comes off as very cold and self absorbed..look at Djoko s parents as obnoxious as they are,they are very involved and when he looks at his box they are blindly supporting him even the Drama king and queen throw in tantrums or pouting.They look like they are 100% behind him,even JJ s mom with her clown face and silly water bottles.I think its reassuring her JJ when she sees her mother sip her water just to will a win out of JJ..LOL
    Ana its time to grow up and learn that no one will give you a match,you have to go and steel you nerves to win..

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