Yan ends Ivanovic's title defense

Yan Zi of China serves against Ana Ivanovic of Serbia during the Toronto Cup on Wednesday at the Rexall Center in Toronto, Canada. Yan won 6-3, 6-1. AFP

Rhythm was something Ivanovic never found, losing 6-3, 6-1 to the Chinese to highlight a day of upsets.

Joining the fourth-seeded Serb at the exit door were Russian fifth and eighth seeds Anna Chakvetadze and Elena Dementieva and Czech No 16 Lucie Safarova.

Fresh from capturing her fourth career title in Los Angeles on Sunday, Ivanovic was unable to carry the momentum to Canada, the 169th-ranked Yan disposing of the world No 4 in 65 minutes to record the biggest victory of her career.

Yan, who has had to qualify for all seven WTA Tour events she has played this season, took charge quickly by breaking Ivanovic at the first opportunity to go up 2-0 in the opening set.

Ivanovic, playing her first match after receiving a first- round bye, immediately broke back to level at 2-2 but Yan was undeterred, winning eight of the next nine games to take the opening set and a 4-0 lead in the second.

"She (Ivanovic) is a top player, I think today I was very lucky," Yan told reporters. "Today I was very relaxed because she is a top player and I didn't think I could win so I just go on to the court to enjoy the match."

The tournament's other Chinese entry Peng Shuai faces world No 1 Justine Henin today after the Belgian scored a 6-3, 6-1 victory against Slovenia's Andreja Klepac.

Agencies

(China Daily 08/17/2007 page22)