Ana emerged with a lot of credit from a highly-entertaining clash with world No.2 Maria Sharapova, she but was unable to reach her first semi-final of the year as she fell 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart.
The 25-year-old was close to scoring an upset over the defending champion and top seed but, crucially, she could hold serve only once in the deciding set as she tasted defeat after two hours and 16 minutes.
Ana reached the last eight of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over world No.11 Nadia Petrova. With today’s win in 80 minutes, she extends her winning streak on clay to four matches as she continued her fine form on German soil.
Despite the comfortable straight sets win, it took the 25-year-old some time to produce her best tennis. She was broken in the third game, fell behind 4-2, and twice faced another break point for a double-break deficit as Petrova began as the more aggressive player.
Ana takes on world No.11 Nadia Petrova in the second round of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart on Thursday. It will be the 14th meeting between the pair, with Ana leading the head-to-head series 8-5.
Four of the 13 prevous encounters have taken place on clay. Petrova recorded the first victory, a 6-2, 6-2 win in the quarter-finals of Roland Garros eight years ago, but Ana has won the past three, including a 7-5, 6-1 win at the Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open last year.
Ana reached the second round of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart with a straightforward 6-3, 6-2 victory over world No. 131 Andrea Petkovic.
Ana defeated world No.6 Angelique Kerber 7-5, 7-5 - her first victory over a top 10 ranked player this year - but Serbia lost its World Group I Play-Off tie 3-2 against Germany.
Ana made a slow start and was behind 3-1, 15-40 on serve, but she hit back to level at 3-3 and then she gradually took control of the match, stepping into the court to dominate points wherever possible.
The world No.17 maintained her fine form in the second set and it was the home player who showed greater nerves, as Ana broke to clinch an impressive victory.
Playing her first clay court match in 10 months, Ana defeated world No.28 Mona Barthel 7-6(5), 2-6, 6-2 in the opening rubber of the Germany versus Serbia Fed Cup World Group I Play-Off tie.
Serbian No.2 Bojana Jovanovski then lost 7-5, 6-2 to world No.6 Angelique Kerber, as day one ended all square.
The draw for the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart has been made. Ana will take on German wild card Andrea Petkovic in round one.
Petkovic is currently ranked 128th in the world. She is rebuilding her career following a horrific series of injuries that came not long after she had established herself in the top 10.
Ana counts the 25-year-old among her friends and has played doubles with her. The pair have met four times before, with the head-to-head series locked at 2-2.
Ana is leading Serbia in its World Group I Play-off against Germany in Stuttgart this weekend. The match will be played on indoor clay at the Porsche-Arena.
Ana is accompanied in the Serbian team by world No.44 Bojana Jovanovski, Vesna Dolonc (99) and Aleksandra Krunic (155).
The German team consists of world No.6 Angelique Kerber, 28th ranked Mona Barthel, Sabine Lisicki (47) and Anna-Lena Groenefeld (178).
The tie represents the first ever meeting between the two nations.
Ana has named her top five European cities to visit on a short break.
The list is visible to members of Club Ana, which is free to join.
The April competition is now online. The prize is an adidas item signed by Ana.
