Ivanovic cool on French test

General / Editor / 14 May 2007 / Leave a Comment

Ana Ivanovic toppled third seed Svetlana Kuznetsova to win the German Open in Berlin on Sunday but was quick to play down her chances of glory at Roland Garros.

The 19-year-old played through the pain of a foot injury to beat the Russian 3-6 6-4 7-6 (7-4).

The victory secured Ivanovic her third career title following her successes in Canada (2006) and Australia (2005).

The teenage Serbian was installed as the world number eight on Monday when the new rankings were released but, although delighted with her highest career ranking, refused to get carried away by her chances at the French Open, which starts on May 27.
"That has been my goal for some time now so I am very happy," she said of her top 10 breakthrough.

"I now have more expectations for the French Open, but I don't want to put pressure on myself," added Ivanovic, who is a 24 outsider in Betfair's outright winner market for the upcoming Paris tournament.

World number one Justine Henin, who had earlier lost to Kuznetsova in a rain-interrupted semi-final, is chasing her third successive French Open title - and fourth in total - and is the predictable 2.66 favourite for the event.

The Belgian beat Kuznetsova (16) 6-4 6-4 in the 2006 final and will be looking to claim her fourth title of the year in 2007 following her wins in Dubai, Qatar and Poland.

Serena Williams, who beat her sister, Venus, to win the French Open in 2002, is next best in the market at 5.1.