BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — Ana Ivanovic captured her first grass court title after almost a decade of trying on Sunday after a straight sets win over Barbora Zahlavova-Strycova at the Aegon Classic.
The former world number beat Zahlavova-Strycova, 6-3, 6-2, with her opponent also playing in her first major tournament final.
Although Ivanovic started shakily for the second day in succession, and dropped serve immediately, she recovered quickly, her heavy ground strokes and willingness to attack soon dominating her unseeded opponent.
It suggested that, at 26, not only can she adapt to a variable surface, but underlined this as her best year so far since 2008.
It was Ivanovic’s 37th win and her third title of the year, putting her level with Serena Williams’ and Maria Sharapova’s three.
The Serb couldn’t contain her happiness at conquering her doubts about playing on grass. ”On grass you really don’t have time to hesitate,” she said…
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