TENNIS WTA Stuttgart – A. Ivanovic d J. Jankovic 6-3, 7-5. An interview with Ana Ivanovic
Great win for you. Can you describe a bit what was going through your mind at your first match point?
Well, definitely very happy to close in that last game. I know when I was having those two match points I was really trying to be aggressive and somehow I wasn’t really jumping on my serve, you know, but I’m just so happy to win in that manner.
About tomorrow: last time you beat Maria was in 2007 including clay. So, it’s been a long time since then. What has changed between you before you won French Open and now?
Well, it’s definitely going to be a tough match, no matter what. Last here I came quite close. I think it was 6-4 in the third that I lost to her. So, I really feel I’m a different player now than I was three years ago. Last three years, maybe five, I really did struggle a lot but now I have more confidence. I’ve beaten top players this year also Serena. So, I’m definitely more confident. I probably have a different game plan also coming into tomorrow’s match. But it’s going to be a very tough challenge. She’s been playing really good here. I think this court suits her because it’s quite fast clay. She’s won twice last two years and now made the finals. It’s going to be a tough challenge but I love challenges.
Maybe in the second set you gave her some free points. But on your second serve you had a lot of points. Maybe even to win the match?
For tomorrow?
No, for today.
Actually I felt like she improved her serve, especially in the second set I did struggle to return and even on the second serve I wasn’t as aggressive as I probably wanted to be. I just wasn’t moving forward enough, you know. But we had a lot of rallies from the back of the court, lots of down the lines which is not usual for either of us. But like I said on 5-4 game I really stepped up. I knew I had to take my opportunities and I did that well. So, I was pleased.
Do you think the other two matches which were battles helped you today?
Yes, definitely. I mean it did also help me for confidence. Also with my coach we always talk about game plan and about what I have to do on court. When this type of situation arrives it is much easier when you know what you’re going to do and you believe in it and winning lots of matches helps you believe in that. So, that’s what happened today on 5-4.
