Ana Ivanovic, supporting a rebuilt game, came through with flying colors Saturday against No. 79 ranked Virginie Razzano, winning in straight sets 7-5, 6-0.
Next up for unseeded Ivanovic in a Labor Day match is No. 2 seed, Kim Clijsters.
Ivanovic last played Clijsters at the start of August in the semi-finals in Cincinnati but Ivanovic was forced to retire with a foot injury just three games into the match.
“I was really disappointed that I had to stop in Cincinnati but I’m really looking forward to it,” she said. “It’s kind of a new opportunity for me. Kim’s a great player. She hasn’t lost a match here in a long time and I have the opportunity to maybe win against a great champion.”
In her match against Wimbledon semifinalist Petra Kvitova yesterday, Clijsters went down 0-3, her serve broken twice, before winning 12 straight games.
The matches are getting more important, as only 8 players will survive the next round. And the matches get tougher, as higher seeds get matched up, or get matched against unseeded players with renewed games who have fought their through while knocking off higher ranked players. Hold on to your seats, folks. The excitement is heating up.