• Tournament of Champions

Ivanovic battles past Date Krumm

ESPN staff
November 6, 2010
Ana Ivanovic salutes victory © Getty Images
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Youth overcame experience as Ana Ivanovic, on her 23rd birthday, overcame veteran Kimiko Date Krumm to set up a final clash with Alisa Kleybanova in the Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions.

Date Krumm has caused a number of shocks in recent months, belying her 40-year-old status, and she looked like taking another scalp when racing into a 5-3 lead in the first set, but Ivanovic broke back on two occasions to take the opening set.

Ivanovic was on course for a straight-sets win when leading 5-3 in the second, but Date Krumm took the set to a breaker and duly forced a deciding set. The younger legs of Ivanovic won through in the final set as she claimed two breaks to close out the match.

"It was a tough match, physically and mentally," Ivanovic said. "The rhythm on my serve wasn't there in the beginning, but I managed to stay calm and win that first set. I had match point in the second set but she played really well in that game, and I'm just happy to win in the end. She hits the ball hard and low, so you really have to bend and use your legs, which is hard at my height."

Alisa Kleybanova is up next in the final for Ivanovic after the Russian claimed a comfortable 6-3 6-1 win over Daniela Hantuchova in the second semi-final.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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