Ivanovic: Followed instincts
I had lots of doubts about my game in the past six months. So finally I feel like I have strategy and also a plan in place again. It gives me a lot of security and confidence. Ana Ivanovic
Defending champion Ana Ivanovic booked her place in the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open with a 6-3 6-3 victory over Gisela Dulko of Argentina.
The Serb was not entirely convincing but did enough against the 31st-ranked Dulko to set up a clash with Flavia Pennetta of Italy in the last 16 at the Indian Wells event.
Dulko drew first blood with a break of serve to lead 3-2 in the opening set, but it merely served to kick the fifth seed into life and she rattled off the next four games to take the set.
The second set went as planned for Ivanovic with two breaks of serve while Dulko was unable to eke out a single break point against the Serb’s delivery.
“When it was very close in both sets I stepped up a little bit more and I just went for my shots and followed my instincts. I played really well,” said Ivanovic.
“I had lots of doubts about my game in the past six months. So finally I feel like I have strategy and also a plan in place again.
“It gives me a lot of security and confidence.”
Pennetta overcame American qualifier Angela Haynes, but not without dropping the first set, eventually coming through 4-6 6-4 6-1.
Seventh seed Agnieszka Radwanksa, who along with Ivanovic is the highest ranked player left in the bottom half of the draw, eased past Aleksandra Wozniak of Canada 6-1 6-4 while Silvia Bammer was another easy winner, this time against Vera Dushevina 6-1 6-3.