Ana Ivanovic became the highest profile player to fall from the women’s game on Day 1 at the US Open, as she fell to former top ten player Dominika Cibulkova in three sets, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.
The match had been billed as one of the most intense clashes of the opening round, and for fans seeking an upset, it did not disappoint.
Cibulkova had been ranked as high as ten in March last year after reaching the final of the 2014 Australian Open, but Achilles surgery and poor form highlighted by a first round exit at Wimbledon, saw her enter this year’s US Open with a unseeded ranking of fifty.
Ivanovic meanwhile, has enjoyed an inconsistent season. She fell in the first round of the Australian Open, before a semifinal showing at Roland Garros. She then fell early in the second round of Wimbledon.
Cibulkova put her poor season firmly behind her, as she won a close opening set by margin of breaking Ivanovic’s serve three times, to Ivanovic’s two breaks.
Cibulkova then moved ahead 3-1 in the second set, and had a break opportunity to move up 4-1. Ivanovic though, staged a fierce comeback, saving the break point, and winning five straight games to level the match at a set apiece.
Cibulkova then took control of the third set, using her powerful forehand, and forcing Ivanovic onto her unfavoured backhand, breaking to establish a 4-1 lead. Ivanovic threatened briefly to break back, but this time Cibulkova held her nerve to secure victory on her second match point.
Cibulkova will play Jessica Pegula of the United States in the second round, who defeated . Ivanovic’s defeat opens up the top half of the draw, as she was Serena Williams potential semifinal opponent following Maria Sharapova’s withdrawal. Eugenie Bouchard and Carla Suarez Navarro are the main beneficiaries of Ivanovic’s early exit.
