Ivanovic counts her blessings

12 April 2012

Top seed and world number one Ana Ivanovic insists she will bound into the Wimbledon third round with renewed confidence after Tuesday's lucky escape against Nathalie Dechy on Court One.

Ivanovic triumphed 6-7 (2/7) 7-6 (7/3) 10-8 in a match lasting almost three and a half hours - but only after surviving with an outrageous net cord when she faced one of two match points in the second set.

The Serbian considered herself fortunate to squeeze past the world number 97 but admitted: "Being able to get through this, as a learning experience, has made me feel good."

She added: "I think what helped me win was fighting spirit, because she was playing extremely well and my serve didn't work so good. I was making some unforced errors that I hadn't done in my previous matches."

Former champions Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams are hoping to avoid similarly close shaves as they prepare to head the women's programme on the championships' fourth day.

Sharapova is set to face fellow Russian Alla Kudryavtseva on Court One on Thursday with the pair hoping to help make it a memorable day for their nation, who also face Spain in the Euro 2008 semi-finals.

Sharapova said: "It motivates me on a different level. I'm so proud they got through. We're brave, we're strong and we work hard at what we do, and good things happen."

Williams hoped to follow her sister Serena into the third round as she faced another home challenger in Anne Keothavong on Centre Court.

Serena beat Polish teenager Urszula Radwanska 6-4 6-4 on Court Two on Wednesday and will now play another former champion Amelie Mauresmo in the Wimbledon third round.