Ana Ivanovic returns to French Open semis after beating Elina Svitolina
PARIS — Returning to the semifinals of a Grand Slam for the first time in seven years, world No. 27 Ana Ivanovic couldn't help but make a joke.
"I don't know if I should feel really old or really happy," Ivanovic, 27, said on court at the French Open after at a 6-3, 6-2 win over Elina Svitolina.
The former world No. 1 last made the final four at a major at this very tournament, back in 2008 as a 20-year-old. The 2008 French Open also marks the only time the former teen prodigy was able to win a major.
How did things shake out on Tuesday? We run it down here.
Scoreline: [7] Ana Ivanovic (SRB) def. [21] Elina Svitolina (UKR) 6-3, 6-2
Ivanovic didn't suffer from any of the nerves that she's famous for, fearlessly knocking winner after winner against the Ukrainian, who was making her debut appearance in a Grand Slam quarterfinal.
Did you see? Ivanovic's boyfriend, Bayern Munich footballer Bastian Schweinsteiger, was her most vocal supporter from the players' box. Ivanovic formerly dated golf standout Adam Scott of Australia.
What it means: Ivanovic remains the heavy favorite in the bottom half of the draw to advance to the final. She will meet No. 13 seed Lucie Safarova. Serena Williams, the top seed, leads the top half of the quarterfinals, whose matches are to be played on Wednesday.
It's been a long road back for Ivanovic, who fell out of the top 60 in 2010 after she won in Paris in 2008 and reached the world No. 1 because of it. The Serbian has been known to struggle with nerves – particularly with her ball toss for the serve – but didn't show any signs of that on Monday, overpowering an opponent who looked out of place.
How it happened: It was as straightforward as it could have been for Ivanovic, who had needed three sets to win three out of four of her opening matches. But she took an early lead and never looked back, serving out the match at 5-2 in the second set and ending it with a forehand winner.
Key stat: That forehand. Ivanovic had 37 winners overall in the match, but a whopping 28 came from that wing. Astronomical. She was broken just once and won 77% of points played on her first serve.
The French Open women's semifinals will take place Thursday.
PHOTOS: French Open quarterffinals