After a few dark years when she failed to win a WTA crown, Ana Ivanovic seems determined to make up for the lost time. The popular Serb whetted her appetite in January by winning in Auckland. Since then she's been victorious in Monterrey, lost the final in Stuttgart, and has now recorded her first triumph on grass in Birmingham.
Ivanovic was in solid form the whole week, going on to claim the title without dropping a set. She beat German Mona Barthel, American Lauren Davis, Czech Klara Koukalova, Chinese Shuai Zhang, respectively Czech Barbora Zahlavova-Strycova in the final.
"It definitely feels very special, not just to win my first title on grass, but to put my name next to champions like that (i.e. Martina Navratilova or Billy Jean King)," Ivanovic said. "I really had a good time on grass. "The crowd really has been amazing. I enjoyed my time here and I look forward to next year," she added.
Although the draw played in her favour, I am impressed by her capacity to take these opportunities and make the most out of them. She looks to have finally recaptured that winner's attitude that took her to the top of the game in 2008. She's not quite as strong as she used to be, but Ana is making huge progresses and I wouldn't be surprised to see her in contentation for the Slams once again.
photo: GETTY IMAGES
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