Birthday girl Ivanovic outlasts Date in Bali
Bruce Emond, The Jakarta Post, Bali | Sat, 11/06/2010 4:01 PM
Finally: Ana Ivanovic of Serbia reacts to a point won against Kimiko Date Krumm of Japan at the semifinal tennis match at in the Tournament of Champions in Nusa Dua, Bali on Saturday. Ivanovic won 7-5, 6-7, 6-2 to reach the final. – AP/Firdia Lisnawati
Serbia's Ana Ivanovic staved off a spirited fight by Japanese veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm on Saturday to reach the final of the Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions in Nusa Dua, Bali.
Ivanovic, who turned 23 on Saturday, triumphed 7-5, 6-7 (5), 6-2. The former world number one, now ranked 24, saved three set points in the first set and recouped from failing to convert a matchpoint in the second set to sweep the third as the 40-year-old Japanese wildcard tired.
Ivanovic will meet the winner of the second semifinal, between Alisa Kleybanova of Russia and wildcard Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia, in Sunday's final.
