Ivanovic Outduels Wozniacki for Pacific Open Crown
Ana Ivanovic defeated second-seeded Caroline Wozniacki 6-2, 7-(2) to win the Toray Pan Pacific Open on Sunday. The third-seeded Serbian captured her fourth WTA title of the year, using a dominant first set to upend the U.S. Open finalist from Denmark.
With the opening frame all even at 2-2, Ivanovic notched a break point to seize control of the set. She would then take the next three games, winning 17 straight points, on her way to the 6-2 win.
“The key for me was coming forward to the net,” said Ivanovic. “She is a great offensive player and gets a lot of balls back so it was important for me to come forward and play well at the net.”
Wozniacki would not away quietly. She broke Ivanovic early on in the second set to jump ahead 3-1. Things shifted right back to Ivanovic after the Dane failed to hold serve in the next game, and Ivanovic reeled off five of the next eight games to send the set into a tiebreaker where she would close Wozniacki out.
“Caroline played a great match today,” said Ivanovic. “It was a really good battled out there—there were some very tough moments, especially in the second set. But I just tried to take it one point at a time, and I’m really happy to make it through. It’s just an amazing feeling to win this title.”
The victory is Ivanovic’s 52nd of the year, the most she has ever had in a single season. The title also bumps her from number eight to number six on the Road to Singapore leader board, significantly increasing her chance to compete in the WTA Finals at the end of the year.
“I’m really happy that this is one step closer to the WTA Finals in Singapore,” said Ivanovic. “It’s coming close and everything’s on the line.”
