Ivanovic strolls into semi-finals

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June 03, 2008 20:02 IST

World number two Ana Ivanovic stormed into the semi-finals of the French Open with a 6-3, 6-2 crushing of Swiss 10th seed Patty Schnyder on Tuesday.

The 20-year-old Serb will have to get past either third-seeded compatriot Jelena Jankovic or Spanish qualifier Carla Suarez Navarro if she is to play her second consecutive final at Roland Garros.

"It started to rain a little bit so I had to rush things a bit," said Ivanovic, who prevailed on her third match point after 76 minutes.

"I expect tough matches so I will keep working hard and enjoy myself."

Wearing a candy pink dress contrasting with Schnyder's turquoise, Ivanovic opened with a series of forehand winners.

After winning the first game to love, she broke in the second but Schnyder, a claycourt specialist, broke back and levelled to 2-2.

The Swiss could not match her opponent's power, however, and Ivanovic stole her serve for a 4-2 lead, going on to claim the opening set after 37 minutes.

Schnyder mixed it up in the second set, trying out some drop shots to trouble Ivanovic's well-oiled baseline game.

But she was too clumsy and Ivanovic broke twice again, holding serve throughout.

She threw away two match points, one with a double fault, but sealed the win when Schnyder returned a forehand wide.

Ivanovic, who lost her first four matches against Schnyder, has now won their last four meetings.

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