Ivanovic knocks Williams out of Australian Open
Ana Ivanovic survived a tough encounter with Venus Williams to book her place in the semi-finals of the Australian Open today.
The number four seed completed a 7-6 (7/3) 6-4 victory to enjoy a first career triumph over the American and set up a last four clash with Daniela Hantuchova, who beat Agnieszka Radwanska earlier in the day.
In a first set that featured six breaks of serve in the opening seven games, Ivanovic jumped into an early 2-0 lead before Williams hit back.
A crunching forehand off the Williams serve then set up three break points for the Serbian, which she secured when the eighth seed hit a return into the net.
Williams, playing with her thigh heavily strapped, fought back to make it 3-2 and neither player could subsequently hold serve until Williams did so for the first time to level the encounter at 4-4.
The set headed to a tiebreak and Ivanovic took control after reeling off five consecutive points before taking the upper hand in the match when Williams hammered a simple-looking backhand volley into the net.
Williams broke her opponent early in the second set to take a 2-0 lead but Ivanovic broke back on the way to levelling at 3-3.
And the 20-year-old made the decisive breakthrough three games later to break Williams and have a chance to serve for the match.
And after slipping to 15-40, Ivanovic battled back to deuce and claimed victory when the American hit a forehand well wide.
