Ana set up a mouth-watering clash with second seed Petra Kvitova by beating American Vania King 6-3, 6-4 in the third round of the Australian Open. It was an indifferent display from the 21st seed, who appeared to be battling illness during the second set of a 77-minute win.
Ana started the match with the same flair that has seen her progress through the tournament all week long. She surged into a 3-0 lead, fully employing her serve to set up the points.
However, the American’s focus didn’t waiver and King leveled the set at 3-3, although Ana had two more break opportunities in the sixth game. The former world No.1 picked up her level and got the best of some marvelous rallies. She gained a new advantage and sealed the opening set.
Throughout the second set it became apparent that Ana was not entirely fit. She gamely got rid of three break points in the fifth game, although she had called for the trainer some instants earlier.
After the short treatment during the change of ends, the 24-year-old broke King to love, but was re-broken straightaway.
She eventually closed out the match after a match-winning break in the seventh game, as she didn’t allow the American to undo the break for a second time.
"She's a tough opponent and she's been in great form," said Ana. "I wasn't 100 per cent in that second set.
"I caught a bug a couple of days ago. I was lucky I wasn't playing yesterday, so I'm just happy to be through. I'll try to relax and take care as much as I can, so I'm fit for the big challenge against Petra."
Second seed Kvitova advanced after Maria Kirilenko retired due to a thigh injury while trailing 6-0, 1-0. Ana holds a 3-0 head to head advantage over the current Wimbledon champion, although the two haven't played since 2009, before Kvitova began her surge to the top of the women's game.
By Joeri Moerman
