Defending champ Ivanovic figures out qualifier at German Open
BERLIN -- Defending champion Ana Ivanovic overcame a slow start before defeating qualifier Akgul Amanmuradova 7-6 (0), 6-2 Wednesday at the German Open.
Top-ranked Justine Henin cruised past Chan Yung-jan 6-0, 6-2; fourth-seeded Jelena Jankovic defeated Peng Shuai 7-5, 6-0; and Victoria Azarenka upset sixth-seeded Anna Chakvetadze 1-6, 7-6 (1), 6-4.
Ivanovic couldn't break Amanmuradova's serve in the first set, but shut her out in the tiebreaker with precise drop shots and forehand winners.
The second-ranked Serb took control in the second set against Amanmuradova, who replaced the injured Amelie Mauresmo on Monday.
"This was the tournament that made me. I found my game here," the 20-year-old Ivanovic said of last year's win. "Ever since then, I have the confidence to believe I can be a top player."
But Ivanovic had trouble against the 6-foot-3 Amanmuradova, a former basketball player.
"I definitely didn't perform well," Ivanovic said. "She's very tall, she has a strong serve and they kicked high. It took me time to get used to them."
Henin returns from a break, looking to regain confidence after a 6-2, 6-0 pounding by Serena Williams in her last match at the Sony Ericsson Open in March. It was the most one-sided loss for a No. 1 player in nine years.
In April, Henin pulled out of the Family Circle Cup because of a right knee injury.
"If I can get my confidence back, then it has to be here," said Henin, a three-time champion. "The German Open has been very good to me."
The German Open, with 17 of the top 20 players in the field, is expected to establish a favorite for the upcoming French Open.
Ivanovic believes the favorite is Serena Williams, who is riding a 16-match winning streak.
"Henin has mastered clay, but I think the game is getting more powerful, like Serena is playing," Ivanovic said.
Another Berlin title would rank Ivanovic, a two-time Grand Slam finalist, among the French Open contenders.
"I definitely think I have the game," Ivanovic said. "At the French Open final, I was just too nervous. At the Australian, it was better. It's a learning experience."
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
