TENNIS in DEPTH.

Ivanovic will need more than Adam Scott in Friday’s semifinal!

by on Jan.07, 2010, under Ana Ivanovic, Justine Henin

Ana Ivanovic is grateful for golf star boyfriend Adam Scott’s cool demeanour as she battles to reassert herself near the top of the tennis rankings.

At times Scott has looked like he needs his pulse checked as he’s sat watching an emotional Ivanovic set-up a semifinal with Justine Henin in the Brisbane International.

However, world No.21 Ivanovic said she wouldn’t have it any other way after holding out Russian teenager Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-2 7-6(6) in her quarterfinal on Thursday.

“That [Scott's calm facade] is really good to see [in the crowd],” Ivanovic said.

“Because you have so many emotions running through your body.

“It’s good to see someone calm supporting you no matter what the result – it’s great, I really enjoy it.”

The former French Open champion certainly needed calm inspiration as she almost threw away the second set against the Russian rising star.

Already weary after two straight three-setters, Ivanovic looked set to play a third when teenager Pavlyuchenkova fought back from 4-0 down in the second set to force a tiebreak.

World No.40 Pavlyuchenkova even held a set point in the tiebreak before a clearly frustrated Ivanovic dug deep to close out the match in almost an hour and a half.

At times Ivanovic admonished herself even after winning points.

“I get very emotional on court,” Ivanovic said.

“I have highs and lows, but I try to work on that.

“And it’s something that I learn from him [Scott] – to be more patient, to be more in control of what is happening out there.”

Ivanovic will play former world No.1 Henin in a tantalising match-up at Pat Rafter Arena on Friday.

“It would be awesome to have an opportunity to play against such a champion,” she said of Henin.

:,

Leave a Reply

*

The On Demand Global Workforce - oDesk

Tennis in Depth

Subscribe