Ivanovic Off to Hot Start at Garanti Koza WTA Tournament of Champions

October 29, 2013 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Adam Wolfthal

Two-time champion Ana Ivanovic began her campaign at the Garanti Koza WTA Tournament of Champions with a straight-sets victory Tuesday, defeating Tsvetana Pironkova, 6-0, 6-2. Ivanovic, who warmed up for her season finale with a run to the final in Linz and quarterfinals in Moscow, set the tone at the start of the match with a love hold before breaking the Bulgarian with a precise backhand winner one game later.

"It's always tough playing a local girl," said Ivanovic. "Obviously to open the tournament and play the first match is never easy, but I really enjoyed it. I really tried to focus on what I had to do and I did serve well … I was placing the ball really well around the court—and I was really happy with that. It's tough to play on a new court so I'm really happy to win the match."

Pironkova reached the semifinals at last year's tournament and now faces an uphill battle to qualify from her group, which includes Samantha Stosur.


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
Centercourt
USTA NTC

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