WTA Tour - Zvonareva, Ivanovic into final

Eurosport - Sat, 21 Mar 21:37:00 2009

Champion Ana Ivanovic of Serbia and Russian Vera Zvonareva completed crushing victories to set up a title clash in the final of the WTA event at Indian Wells.

TENNIS Vera Zvonareva of Russia at Indian Wells 2009 - 0

Top seed Ivanovic pummelled 17-year-old Russian Anastasia Pavyluchenkova 6-2 6-3 in the evening semi-final after fourth-seeded Zvonareva had swept aside her doubles partner Victoria Azarenka of Belarus 6-3 6-3.

Ivanovic, who hammered Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-4 6-3 in last year's final, was barely troubled as she broke Pavyluchenkova three times in a dominating display.

The 21-year-old from Belgrade sealed the win with a rasping crosscourt forehand before pumping her left fist in celebration.

"I love coming here and the crowd has been great," Ivanovic said in a courtside interview after wrapping up victory in 75 minutes at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

"I have really enjoyed this week and I look forward to the final. It's going to be a tough match as she has been playing well," she said of Zvonareva.

The Russian, who had not dropped a set to Azarenka in their three previous meetings, eased through to the final after one hour, 20 minutes on a blazing hot afternoon.

The 24-year-old, controlling the match with her powerful groundstrokes, broke her opponent in the sixth game before going on to take the opening set.

Although eighth seed Azarenka provided stiffer resistance in the second set, the Russian world number six broke in the first and ninth games to reach her second final of the season.

"It's great," said Zvonareva, who clinched her eighth WTA title in Pattaya, Thailand last month.

"It's my first final here and I played my first semi-final here today so I'm pretty happy to be through this one.

"I'm pretty satisfied about my game overall," added the Russian, who reached the last four at the Australian Open in January.

"I had a few double faults and a few mistakes here and there, but I was going for my shots. It's a big event, a great tournament and I'm really happy about it."

Azarenka, who won the first WTA titles of her career in Brisbane and Memphis this year, was disappointed after totalling 37 unforced errors and just eight winners.

"I didn't play the game that I had to play, it was only unforced errors for me," the 19-year-old said. "Vera played good. I didn't do even 10 percent of my game today.

One consolation for Azarenka, who upset top-seeded Russian Dinara Safina in the quarter-finals, is that she will break into the world's top 10 for the first time when the rankings are issued on Monday.

Reuters

Comment 1 - 16 of 16

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  1. GO VERA THIS IS YOUR TIME TO SHINE!! DOUBLES AND­ SINGLES GREAT!! THAT WILL MAKE UP FOR THE AUSTRALIAN­ OPEN GO GIRL!!!

    From HARRY K, on Sun 22 Mar 5:19PM

  2. Lets go Ana...just do it again

    From sasa, on Sun 22 Mar 4:43PM

  3. Ray V what is that you've got, is it foresight or­ is it hindsight? we may never know!

    From sanchez.santos, on Sun 22 Mar 2:47PM

  4. # 9 NOT ONLY DO YOU WRITE RUBBISH BUT YOU ARE AN IDIOT­ AS WELL - THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT EVENT ON THE­ CALENDAR OUTSIDE THE GRAND SLAMS AND TOUR FINALS ( 5­ EVENTS ) - IT RANKS ALONGSIDE THE MIAMI TOURNAMENT­ WHICH FOLLOWS
    MAYBE YOU THINK TENNIS PLAYERS SHOULD ­ ONLY PLAY 4 OR 5 EVENTS A YEAR AND IGNORE ALL OTHERS­ ?
    AND FOR YOUR INFORMATION - EUROSPORT IS BROADCASTING­ THIS EVENT - THAT WAS THE WHOLE POINT OF # 7'S­ COMMENT - THEY HAD SHOWN EVERY ROUND UP UNTIL THE SEMI­ FINALS - YOU FOOL !

    From miguel b, on Sat 21 Mar 11:47PM

  5. vera is very good recently. shes got what it takes to­ be at top of womens tennis. im afraid that the­ defending champ will be too over confident and will try­ to win every point by force. along the way the champ­ will commit error after error.

    From Ray V, on Sat 21 Mar 7:06PM

  6. Vera. Concentrate on ur own game. and relax. and play­ it. and u will win. With love and respect.

    From Olga, on Sat 21 Mar 6:49PM

  7. Ana you are the best. In every sense you are the most­ watchable tennis player ever. I love you.

    From davylad3rd, on Sat 21 Mar 4:00PM

  8. GO ANA ! You can do it girl ! getting self-confidence­ back, that’s most important.. Also Zvonareva is great­ player, it will be hard, and I wish to se a stunning­ final :-)

    From Igor K, on Sat 21 Mar 3:18PM

  9. eurosport is not broadcasting this low keyed women­ tennis from Idian Wells.. The reason is obvious.. No­ real top ten on tour..Ana, Vera, JJ, Dementieva,­ Kusznetsova and Safina are on the average one GS or­ none still on WTa Indian Wells.. so this is not­ attractive for viewers...

    From Augustine A, on Sat 21 Mar 1:35PM

  10. I wanted Vika Azarenka to win but hey Vera playing­ great tennis.Hope its a good match vs Ana.I want Ana to­ retain her title though.

    From AJ, on Sat 21 Mar 11:37AM

  11. I can't believe there was no WTA semi-finals­ broadcasting????

    SHAME ON YOU, EUROSPORT!!!!

    From Milan B., on Sat 21 Mar 9:50AM

  12. Go Ana Gooooooooo!!!!

    From Damir, on Sat 21 Mar 9:04AM
  13. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Goodluck to the winner in final. Two average players on­ the last line.. Vera has been on the tours far too long­ now to be aiming at unpopular Indian Wells Title. Vera­ aim much higher.. There was a time you were a threat to­ Venus at the initial entrance to the wta tours..You­ deteriorated to this level since.. Pick it up.. But I­ doubt if Ana will give you any chance..

    From Augustine A, on Sat 21 Mar 8:59AM

  14. ANA,ANA,ANA !
    THANKS FOR NICE GAME,
    LETS GO TO THE­ TOP.AJDE!
    WE ALL LOVE YOU AND WISH YOU
    HAPPY. BRAVO ANA­ !DO IT !

    From Ljiljana, on Sat 21 Mar 6:13AM

  15. Zvonoreva has turned into an amazingly consistent tough­ to beat competitior in the last 12 months and boy has­ she lost some weight ! I hardly recognised her - she­ used to be this little tub of lard waddling around the­ court slamming balls into the crowd and crying­ uncontrollably every other game - now she looks like a­ sleek professional atlete and plays like it as well !­ well done Vera

    From miguel b, on Fri 20 Mar 10:54PM

  16. yes! YES!! Vera u did it! Bravissimo!!! I love u! Good­ luck in the final! sorry guys, emotions ))

    From Olga, on Fri 20 Mar 10:00PM
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