US Open
Ivanovic finding her form
2010-09-01 19:51
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New York - Former world number one Ana Ivanovic took another step forward in her recent renaissance when she beat 21st seed Zheng Jie of China 6-3 6-0 to reach the third round of the US Open on Wednesday.
The Serbian world number 40, who topped the rankings just two years ago, smashed 22 winners en route to an impressive victory in just 56 minutes on another hot day inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
It is the first time this year the former French Open champion has reached the third round of a grand slam event.
In 2009, after losing to Kateryna Bondarenko in the first round of the US Open, she fell out of the world's top 20.
But she has shown encouraging signs recently, reaching the semi-finals of the warm-up event in Cincinnati to return inside the world's top 40.
In Cincinnati, she was forced to retire with a foot injury but showed no signs of discomfort as she demolished a hapless Zheng.
Zheng had no answer to Ivanovic's power with the Serb unleashing a series of winners, particularly on the forehand side.
Ivanovic's only wobble came when she was broken as she served for the opening set but she held on and then raced through the second.
The Serb now awaits the winner of the match between 13th seed Marion Bartoli and another Frenchwoman Virginie Razzano.