Kleybanova stuns Ivanovic

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:15

The 19-year-old survived a second-set comeback from former world number one Ivanovic to win 7-5 6-7 (5-7) 6-2.

She appeared to have missed her chance after letting a commanding lead slip away but kept her cool to see off a determined challenge from Ivanovic and set up a fourth-round tie with Jelena Dokic, who beat Caroline Wozniacki earlier in the day.

Ivanovic, last year’s beaten finalist, relinquished the opening set just as she seemed poised to take it. After forcing the first break in the eighth game her nerve seemed to abandon her just as she was serving for the set.

A double fault let Kleybanova break back and after breaking again, the Russian served out for the set.

Kleybanova established a 3-0 lead in the second set but Ivanovic fought back well to take it into a tie-break, which she claimed 7-5.

The decisive set began just like the second, with Kleybanova leading 3-0 before Ivanovic began her comeback again.

This time, however, she only made it as far as 3-2 as Kleybanova wrapped up the match by breaking her opponent’s serve twice more.

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