Publications
Partners
Melbourne - Former world number one Ana Ivanovic made a shock early exit from the Australian Open on Tuesday, beaten in the first round by 49th-ranked Russian Ekaterina Makarova 3-6, 6-4, 10-8.
The Serbian starlet looked on track for an easy win when she cruised through the first set, but the Russian then controlled the match as Ivanovic's mental frailties resurfaced.
Ivanovic, the 2008 French Open champion and a beaten finalist here that year, showed some fight by saving five match points in a marathon third set.
However, she never gained the ascendancy and the 22-year-old Makarova finally closed it out with a forehand winner to break serve in the 91-minute decider.
It was a miserable result for Ivanovic, who finished 2010 strongly, winning two of her last three tournaments on the back of her improved fitness and who believed she was set for a climb back up the rankings from her current 21st.
However, the 23-year-old was forced to withdraw from this month's Hopman Cup mixed-teams tournament after suffering a stomach injury.
Ivanovic was left rueing yet another Grand Slam early exit after falling in round two at last year's Australian and French Opens, before being shocked in her first match at Wimbledon and reaching the US Open's fourth round.
Meanwhile Makarova said it was the biggest win of her career, having been beaten by Ivanovic in straight sets at last year's US Open in their only previous meeting.
"I am so happy," she said. "It is the first time I played such a long match.
"She's an unbelievable player and it was really tough. I'm so happy I beat her."
