Ivanovic clears first hurdle

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:30

The Serbian, who beat Dinara Safina in last year’s final, started poorly in the Paris sunshine but found some form in the second set to take the match 7-6 (7/3) 6-3.

Ivanovic, without a title in 2009, has slipped to eighth in the rankings and a knee injury sustained in Rome earlier this month has hampered her build-up to Roland Garros.

With that right knee slightly strapped for her opener, she began tentatively and was taken all the way in the first set by a battling Errani, the world number 44.

The Italian served for the set in the 10th game but Ivanovic managed to break.

After squandering two set points in the 12th game, she upped the tempo in the tie-break, going 4-1 up and eventually taking it 7-3.

Ivanovic, who struggled with her serve throughout, improved slightly in the second set, breaking twice – in the third and fifth games – to race into a 5-1 lead.

Ivanovic then broke again by taking the third match point on offer to seal victory.

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