(8)Tatiana Golovin def. (6)Ana Ivanovic 6-4,3-6,6-4

into the Final!! :woohoo:


gets first win vs. Ivanovic!!


very high quality!


first to post

great match point!

Tati!
Very nice match with nice volleys. A bit relaxed after winning the first set, but great comeback in the 3rd. (4-1 with two breaks) Way to go Tati. Please win the title.
Ana has hit too much in the net today.

high quality match.
Ivanovic had soo many chances and prolly should have won the match but Golovin played the big points better than Ivanovic and that's what decided the match.

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats Tati! :hearts:

Ana :hug: Better Luck next time ;)

Congrats Tatiana. DON"T YOU DARE TO LOSE TOMORROW.

Ana, you had so many chances in the 3rd set... Damit. :smash:

Blah...sloppy performance from Ana in the cemetery atmosphere

Congrats Tati...take the title now

Tati :hearts: :banana: :woohoo:

ana..Anyways u did turn the mini bad season around though..:yeah: keep on doing better

Ana :sad: Tati was due a win though, still a good event for her :hug:

:woohoo: Very well done Tati!!! Bien joué ma fille.

At last! :bounce:

Ana :hug:

Tati :bounce:

Finally, she gets that win over Ana. Good luck in the final.

Good job Tati:D
Ana:sad:

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo::woohoo: :woohoo::woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

I was so afraid that Tatiana will get choked...

however she made it :woohoo:

Tati, I knew you could do this. :bounce: :banana:

Win it all now. :D

Tati :banana:

Great effort from Ana :hug: Her BP conversion rate really hurt her though, I think it was 5/21 :o

(Not that Tati's was too much better, something like 6/16)

But overall it was an entertaining match :yeah:

Tatiana into the Finals! :woohoo: :rocker2:

Finally you beat her. I have no idea why you lose to her your a much better player

What a good match.
So happy for Tati. Ana plays good green clay tennis though.
I hope she comes back next year.

Yes, Tati! :woohoo:

Finally beat her! ;)

Now win the final too! :yeah:

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

Win it all Tati! Allez!

Tatiana! :bounce:

Ana :sad:

Some quality points from both players but also some stupid errors and wasted opportunities on break points, particularly for Ana.

Break points won:
Ivanovic 5 of 21
Golovin 5 of 15

Tati! http://planetsmilies.net/kaos-animal-bunny-smiley-6083.gif http://planetsmilies.net/kaos-animal-bunny-smiley-6084.gif

Yay Tati scores first win over Ana :D I love you so much :hearts:
Very good match, I enjoyed it a lot. Good luck in the final Tatiana :yeah:
Ana, thanks for the effort and for the fight, especially in the 3rd set :hug:

I'm sorry but ana played a much better much and she should have won. As a fan of both players I have to say I'm very disappointed by the outcome.:fiery:

Good job Tati ;)

I'm so proud of ya sweettie! :hearts: Do your best in the final! :D ;)

Ana did play better, even the announcers thought so. Golovin got lucky on too many important points.

Great match! I really though Tati was gonna give up the lead,but she closed it out :D I hope she wins it tomorrow.

Ana should NOT be diaapointed,overall a solid match from her and something great to build on. Probably the most solid I've seen her in a while.

Very high quality match. Both players can feel good about how they played. Good luck in the final Tati :yeah:

Take the title Tati!!!! :bounce:

Tatiana :yeah: :yippee: :woohoo: Now get your first title!!

Ana :hug:

yessssssss :bounce: :hearts: :woohoo:
finally a win over Ana :rocker2: :lol:

bps won: Tati 5/15 & Ana 5/21 :tape: :lol:
great match :yeah:

Ana :hug:

sybille should be difficult :scared:

Great Match. I wanted Ana to win, but well done Golovin.

I have to say she looks more and more mature, both as a player and dresser (:lol: )

Take your first title tomorrow!:bounce:

Tati :banana: :woohoo:

Yahhhhh Tati !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i'm sooooooooo happy even if it's "only" a TierII SF !! :woohoo: :cry:
You played so well and fought in the important points and Your forehand and your volleys are improving :) :)

Tati :hearts: :woohoo:

I'm sorry but ana played a much better much and she should have won. As a fan of both players I have to say I'm very disappointed by the outcome.:fiery:

yeah but Golovin played the important points much better than Ana. Once Ana matures a little more she will be a major force in Women's tennis.

A good match by both girls, to me they were pretty even. Bad luck Anci :sad: She played the key points bad too

Good work Tatiana.... hopefully its title numero uno tomorrow against whoever... :) :worship:

Tati!!!!!!!!! :rocker: :bounce: :rocker2:

Good luck for the final!! :yeah:

Great match form both.Tati is ready to win this tournement now.:worship:

damn, Ana, too bad you haven't been able to take your opportunities.
congrats Tati, you beat two of my faves:fiery::fiery::fiery:, just DON't lose tommorow, just don't.
win your first title, the 0 in your wta profile is just outrageous.

please.

Congrats Tati :bounce:
Ana :o :mad: :sad: :hug:

:woohoo:

It's about damn time you beat her, Tati.
I knew you would need an insurance break to do it though.
Bravo.

Tati :hearts: Félicitations pour cette victoire! maintenant gagne ce titre tant attendu! Que ce soit Petrova ou Bammer en finale, tu as une chance incroyable, donc saisi la!!!

Congrats Tati :worship:
Ana :bigcry: At least she finally showed her fighting spirit.

Tati :kiss: :kiss: :dance: :woohoo: she beat Venus now Ana, well done girl :yeah:

She better win tomorrow!!!

Vive Lolo,he's the best damn French coach out there,ever! :yeah: :woohoo:
Tati's volley was great :woohoo:
a bit of choking to close it out but am so fucking proud of you :woohoo: :woohoo: :yeah: :banana: :banana: :D

yaay!!! I'm so happy for Tati right now..!! what a great match..!!

Tati, very well played :worship:

:woohoo:
Get the title TatI!

Congratulations Tati :worship: :yeah:

Und wenn's im Finale gegen Petrova geht, darf sie morgen auch gewinnen ;)

Tati :hearts:...:woohoo:
Ana :hug:

:worship: :bounce: WHOOP WHOOP TATI!!!!!:worship:

she needs to cut down on her choking though...BIG TIME..i know she won in the end but she was 5-2 up and let ivanovic get back in the match and had to have 3 match points....her choking or at least..mini choking needs to stop..shes done it sooo many times against the top players....

Tatiana :D

:bounce: Bravo Tati :bounce:

Und wenn's im Finale gegen Petrova geht, darf sie morgen auch gewinnen ;) :yeah: :lol:

great job Tati! finally you got a win against Ivanovic. what a tight 3rd set, really glad you didn't blow it. very bold move on match point.

best of luck tomorrow in the finals.

congrats Tati, you beat two of my faves:fiery::fiery::fiery:, just DON't lose tommorow, just don't.
win your first title, the 0 in your wta profile is just outrageous.

please.
Couldn't have put it in a better way.

tati! :bounce:

keep playing well, ana.

Dissapointing loss for Ana, too many break opportunities wasted. Kudos to Tatiana for a well played match though.:worship: Good luck in final!

Congrats Tatiana. DON"T YOU DARE TO LOSE TOMORROW.

Ana, you had so many chances in the 3rd set... Damit. :smash:

in 3rd set :eek:?
she was 25 down before tati started screwing :o
good fight from both!!

Congrats Tatiana! Good luck in the final, but if its against Nadia I'm afraid I'll root against you :o

in 3rd set :eek:?
she was 25 down before tati started screwing :o
good fight from both!!

in just about every game in the 3rd set Ana had game points or break points.

:fiery:

ALLEZ TATIANA!

Win this damn thing, kay?

Better luck next time Ana.

Congrats to Golovin

Yess Tati , showing the russian talent

Win your first title tomorrow

High quality match!

congrats Tati :)

Anna :sad: :hug:

yesssssssssss Tati !! You' ve finally done it !!! :bounce:

Please don't lose tomorrow, I predicted 2weeks ago that you would win this tournament !! :rolleyes: :drool:

but we really have to admit that Ana wasted a lot of opportunities !!! Tx for Tati !

in 3rd set :eek:?
she was 25 down before tati started screwing :o
good fight from both!!Yes in the 3rd. First service game - double GP and another one (make it 3) to go 1-0*
First return game - at least 2 BPs (I think even 3, not sure). Next service game, she held. Second return game she wasted a BP (or 2). Since then there was only 1 service and 1 return (last one) game where she had no pts to win this particular game.

:banana: :banana: :banana:

nice one tati. now take your first title

congrats Tati! :D :yeah:
you had your chances Ana :hug:

Great Job Tati! :) :yeah:

Pretty girl win! Pretty girl lose! Either way pretty girl.

http://www.wtnphotos.com/data/671/Tatiana_Golovin_web1.jpg

I forgot to add that for me it was one of the best matches in terms of outfits. Ana's white-pink dress is my all-time favourite and I thought Tatiana's orange-black combination was great as well. :yeah: Certainly better than the pink or red one. :)

Yes in the 3rd. First service game - double GP and another one (make it 3) to go 1-0*
First return game - at least 2 BPs (I think even 3, not sure). Next service game, she held. Second return game she wasted a BP (or 2). Since then there was only 1 service and 1 return (last one) game where she had no pts to win this particular game.

Yep 5 break points in 1st 2 return games.

i think ana should have attacked more on BP. but well done tati! you almost have the trophy in your pocket now!

allez! :banana:

so nervous in that third set. would not have been the first choke from tati.

please win this final now.

Good match 3 setter. Mistakes and errors on both sides, it's a rarity to see a match when both sides hit winner after winner. Usually someone will breakdown and lose. I remember the "old" days when there were no tie-breakers. Last person standing wins. Anyway, I digress.

Congrats Tatiana!!!!

Poor Ana

Yes good win tatiana let's go tomorrow in the final !!! :):) allez on lâche pas :):)

Didnt care who won because i like them both. congrats tati now beat nadia in the finale!

Finally win a title Tati :)!

:woohoo: !!! Great win Tati, so happy!! Only saw the first set and half of the second, so happy to find out you won! :bounce:

Its not fair :mad:

:woohoo: Very well done Tati!!! Bien joué ma fille.

At last! :bounce:

Ana :hug:

Ma fille :lol: :lol:

I forgot to add that for me it was one of the best matches in terms of outfits. Ana's white-pink dress is my all-time favourite and I thought Tatiana's orange-black combination was great as well. :yeah: Certainly better than the pink or red one. :)

Yes Ana is stunning in white:hearts:

Like Your new avtar btw

Didnt care who won because i like them both. congrats tati now beat nadia in the finale!

Okay, we'll see if you're a false prophet. :devil:

feel really bad for ana.....what a bad break with that net chord!

Tati:)

But Ana:sad:

Hope Tati wins the title now.

allez Tati!! :worship: PLEASE, PLEASE win your first title now!

Ana :sad: :hug:

Yay! Great job tati!

Ana :sad: Really thought you were going to win this

Allez tati !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070407/capt.08429a87b2cf4a6490cd318fc5a408dc.amelia_islan d_tennis_flpc205.jpg

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070407/capt.1f41c6ebe68247208c55f1907287385a.amelia_islan d_tennis_flpc203.jpg

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070407/capt.8802243f2950445087a02d3618ea1a7b.amelia_islan d_tennis_flpc204.jpg

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070407/capt.c6c3694213bd4937976eef13a6b8dc3e.amelia_islan d_tennis_flpc201.jpg

Just move on to the next tourney Ana! Good showing in AI

Ana :sad:

Congratulations Tati , win your first title tomorrow:yeah:

Allez tati !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070407/capt.08429a87b2cf4a6490cd318fc5a408dc.amelia_islan d_tennis_flpc205.jpg

i luv when she does that lol she always does it it looks cute...shes lost a few pounds hasn't she? lookin fitter...i think some of those dresses didnt do her justice

Adje AnitA! :kiss:

Tati! :D :D

:woohoo:

Please win it!

tati :yeah:

Ana played like shit comparing to the last matches from her that I saw (and that was in 2006:o) :help:

I actually enjoyed that match. Both played well. Congrats to Tatiana. :)

Ana :sad: 6K gone down the drain for me :o ah well you still had a great tournament though & you will only get better & better.

Congrats Tati, been playing some solid tennis lately :yeah: keep it going in the final :)

:woohoo: alrite now Tati :hearts: :hearts:

Tati i'm sooo proud and pleased for you! :inlove:

I watched from the beginning of the second second at you had chances to win it in 2 but credit to Ana for fighting.

Of course you gave us a slight coke at 52 serving for it but got the job done in the end. :hug:

I so so so want you to win tomorrow baby! :kiss:

Despite what many are saying, Golovin outplayed Ivanovic today. Played better on the biggest points...Ana blew so many 40-15 and 0-30 chances.

This would've been a really exciting match if the crowd seemed even slightly into it.

Despite what many are saying, Golovin outplayed Ivanovic today. Played better on the biggest points...Ana blew so many 40-15 and 0-30 chances.

This would've been a really exciting match if the crowd seemed even slightly into it.

too true

how pathetic is this? Ana :help:

Great win for Tati. :clap2: She played very well for the most part and did what she had to do to get the win.

As for Ana, she played well, but unfortunately just couldn`t cash in all those break chances. :sad: Still she made a nice run and got her clay season off to a good start.

I`m looking forward to tomorrow`s match. I really want Tati to win her first title. She has played good tennis in Amelia Island and long overdue for it.

Ana :sad:
Great tournament anyway! :) :kiss:

all tati pics semi final are in my gallery:
http://tatiworld.free.fr/galerie/thumbnails.php?album=119
http://tatiworld.free.fr/galerie/albums/matchs/2007/amelia_island/tattiworld_ameliaisland07_020.jpg

Despite what many are saying, Golovin outplayed Ivanovic today. Played better on the biggest points...Ana blew so many 40-15 and 0-30 chances.

This would've been a really exciting match if the crowd seemed even slightly into it.

That`s the way Amelia Island is. The racket club is in a very affluent area and a substantial portion of the fans are elderly and not real expressive. It is what it is but has beautiful scenery and attracts a lot of top players.

Okay, we'll see if you're a false prophet. :devil:

You are a true prophet. Nadia and Tati are in the final.:worship:

Ma fille :lol: :lol:
Ben c'est une expression bien connue, comme "ma grande" etc.. :p

this makes me happy. Now win a title Tati

AHHH why wasnt this the final.. Well done to both girls and may they meet same round in Charleston..

Congrats Tatiana on another victory [and I do give you credit for playing well against Venus].

is it cold in A.I ? tati looks horrible with the long sleeves ..

It was one hell of a match! Definaly one of the best of the year. I wanted Ana to win, but nevertheless I am satisfied with the result.

Good luck to Tati in the final. I hope she wins her first title here.

Tati :bounce: :worship:

is it cold in A.I ? tati looks horrible with the long sleeves ..

Starting a new trend in women's tennis clothing. It's called the baseball jersey and undershirt look, but she didn't wear the baseball cap. It's an accessory.

So sad about the result. I thought Ana would win but it wasn't meant to be.

The good news is my next favorite player won and is in the final!! YAYAY! I desperately want Tati to win this tournament!

It was a nice match, Tatiana was really determined to win this match and played very well in the important points. Ana wasn´t playing bad, but wasted lots of chances. Seems that she plays always the same, that she doesn´t think in changing her strategy during the matches, to adjust her game to the different situations, she plays always the same. I have to say i was really surprised when i saw Ana doing that half volley when it was 1-1 in the first set, was a really good one, but after that she keep doing bad volleys and Tatiana also is weak in that area, but also did 2 or 3 good volleys.

Well done Tatiana - now win the final:bounce:

It was a good good match, they're two of the biggest promises
(or realities) of the women tennis and it's nice to see them on court.

Good luck to Golovin that when has a good day is very dangerous,
she showed this against Venus and now has an excellent opportunity
with Petrova that sometimes has some problems to win.

last game golovin ivanovic
http://5.upload.dailymotion.com/video/x1nm7a_tatiana-golovin-amelia-island

Blah...sloppy performance from Ana in the cemetery atmosphere

Congrats Tati...take the title now


omg i know! amelia island is never crazy. i mean get into the match. it wasnt like they were playing crap-tennis. they were playing very well. the only time the got into the match was the last 3 points. if i was there i wouldve been yelling. gosh, even wimbledon is louder.

Best of luck in the final Tatiana !!!!!!!!

I'd like to see Tati win one.

Oh, and I have to admit today was the first time I'd seen Ana play. I saw glimpses of what the fuss is about (both playing and looks-wise). So that was good.

I can't believe some here have complaints about this match. it was windy. cold. its a clay court. more unforced errors are expected on clay. and dispite all these factors both girls had just about even unforced errors to winners. both girls played great as the commentators said on espn. it was a great match!

Golovin is on a hot streak. I'm hoping to see her win. :bounce: :bounce:

:sad:

Ana showed flashes of brilliance, but still is a little erratic with her game. For the most part she was the one dictating the points; if she knew how to use her strokes she could have overpowered Tatiana. But Tatiana played steady and consistently - the same tactic that won her the match against Venus. Good luck against Petrova!

That`s the way Amelia Island is. The racket club is in a very affluent area and a substantial portion of the fans are elderly and not real expressive. It is what it is but has beautiful scenery and attracts a lot of top players.
It's certainly a fine setting for a tournament. Clear blue skies, overhanging trees, quacking ducks (at least that what it sounded like on TV).
I have to say i was really surprised when i saw Ana doing that half volley when it was 1-1 in the first set, was a really good one, but after that she keep doing bad volleys and Tatiana also is weak in that area, but also did 2 or 3 good volleys.
Several first class HV's and lots of forays to the the net. She has a great attitude, Ana. Hang on in there till the end in what must have been a bit of a frustrating match. Lesson learnt: don't ever write off your opponent.

To be fair, the 5/21 BP conversions don't really tell the whole story because Golovin served and played great to save some of them but still...

Great win Tati! I'm so happy you finally overcame Ana. Maybe it can become a real rivalry now.

Finish the mission against Petrova.

great match from tatiana.. ana has alot of power! but tati used her forehand and her ability to get balls back with a little help from ana's errors and won a thriller

OMG well done Tati! Bravo :hearts:
Now lose to Nadia please :p

Go Tati! :D

Tati, you are great! Come on! :bounce:

It was a nice match, Tatiana was really determined to win this match and played very well in the important points. Ana wasn´t playing bad, but wasted lots of chances. Seems that she plays always the same, that she doesn´t think in changing her strategy during the matches, to adjust her game to the different situations, she plays always the same. I have to say i was really surprised when i saw Ana doing that half volley when it was 1-1 in the first set, was a really good one, but after that she keep doing bad volleys and Tatiana also is weak in that area, but also did 2 or 3 good volleys.

Tatiana progressed much at the net and Ana wasn't that bad !
Tatiana won 23/29 points at the net :eek:
Ana won 22/30

Ana :mad: :mad: Best luck in Charleston

Ana was dictating the most part of the rallies, but that won't give you a win.
Ana started not great, but after 5 or 6 games she played better and better.
Golovin is fast and defended really great. She brought so many balls back.
Ana sometimes needed 8 shots to finally win the point in 1st set.
It was really a shame that Ana so simply lost her serve and the set with 6-4.
Really unnecessary.
If Ana had won that set then I think that Ana would've won the match.
In the 2nd set she had chances for a double break and 3-0.
And at 2-1 she wasted 40-15. Gladly Golovin made some mistakes at 2-2, but actually she shouldn't have that chance anyway.
In the 3rd set Ana wasted so many breakpoints. ONLY in the last game Golovin didn't face a breakpoint. Ana made just too many easy errors which gave her trouble in her service games. Again, really unnecessary.
Maybe you could say that Golovin was better at the important points.
But that's actually more cause of errors by Ana than winners of Golovin.
Ana had to play with a little more variety.
Overall I think Ana made a good performance and hopefully she continues.
Gladly there's still room for improvement so she will be even better in the future!

AJDE!!!

m really happy..

It's certainly a fine setting for a tournament. Clear blue skies, overhanging trees, quacking ducks (at least that what it sounded like on TV).

lol but did u see all the people in the crowd? lol


To be fair, the 5/21 BP conversions don't really tell the whole story because Golovin served and played great to save some of them but still...

Yeh it wasnt anas fault that she couldnt break...Tati hit first serves and played aggressively but consistently on crucial points

Ana so many wasted chances.

It was a pretty high quality match.

Well done, Tati!

Ana was dictating the most part of the rallies, but that won't give you a win.
Ana started not great, but after 5 or 6 games she played better and better.
Golovin is fast and defended really great. She brought so many balls back.
Ana sometimes needed 8 shots to finally win the point in 1st set.
It was really a shame that Ana so simply lost her serve and the set with 6-4.
Really unnecessary.
If Ana had won that set then I think that Ana would've won the match.
In the 2nd set she had chances for a double break and 3-0.
And at 2-1 she wasted 40-15. Gladly Golovin made some mistakes at 2-2, but actually she shouldn't have that chance anyway.
In the 3rd set Ana wasted so many breakpoints. ONLY in the last game Golovin didn't face a breakpoint. Ana made just too many easy errors which gave her trouble in her service games. Again, really unnecessary.
Maybe you could say that Golovin was better at the important points.
But that's actually more cause of errors by Ana than winners of Golovin.
Ana had to play with a little more variety.
Overall I think Ana made a good performance and hopefully she continues.
Gladly there's still room for improvement so she will be even better in the future!

AJDE!!!

"She served well and played some very good points in the deciding moments," Ivanovic said.

"She served well and played some very good points in the deciding moments," Ivanovic said.I have to agree, Ana had little chances on most of those BPs. It was surprising that Tatiana stuck to her gameplan so well.

well done Tatiana ..Congrats!!

`

well done TATI :):hearts: :hearts: :hearts:

"She served well and played some very good points in the deciding moments," Ivanovic said.

Yes, that's right. But there were really chances to get more from it.

"I enjoyed my time here, and had some good wins. It was going well except for today, but I have a lot of positives I can take. I look forward to coming back."

:confused: Then I really wonder how she played against Jankovic.

And still strange that she gets a semifinal at clay and that her best grandslam performance is also on clay. With a faster surface I think that Ana made more winners.

tati :yeah: :woohoo: :kiss:

at last!

Golovin was just more consistent on the day.But Ana did hit some HARD flashey shots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

congrats Tati :)
good luck

good tourney for ana by reaching the semis

Ana :sobbing:

Another fine H2H ruined after this one:

http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/2/players/playerprofiles/playerheadtoheaddetail.asp?PlayerID=310774&Player1ID=311911

But there's still this one :devil: :

http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/2/players/playerprofiles/playerheadtoheaddetail.asp?PlayerID=310137&Player1ID=310774

Good match, great fight from both players - the contrast with the anticlimactic final couldn't be bigger.

This was one of the best matches I've ever seen Ivanovic play, serving excepted. Unusually for her, she was trying to play controlled aggression and to keep her UE count down. Problem is, she still has no idea about how to string a couple of shots together in a rally, about how to hit a shot to open up the court or merely to place herself in a better position to hit the next one.

And of course giftwrapping Golovin the first set the way she did didn't help either.

Golovin couldn't, or chose not to, avoid Ivanovic's FH all the time - I think she expected Ivanovic to eventually begin spraying errors. But Ivanovic went for several games at a time without making a single error on her FH side. Sometimes it seems she can hit FH winners even while sitting down or doing a cartwheel.

Ivanovic's ROS, the single most aggressive on the Tour, placed Golovin under the constant threat of getting broken - particularly on the third set, in which Ivanovic was just going for winners off all of Golovin's serves. But Ivanovic, with the exception of 3 or 4 games which she closed out easily with a few big serves, didn't serve well (low 1st serve %, predictable serving patterns, and her toss makes her serve easy to read) and was broken far too often. By the end of the match, Golovin was running around her BH to return more aggressively and doing to Ivanovic's 2nd serve almost the same that Ivanovic was doing to her own.

Ivanovic's defensive skills are underrated - she can slice and moonball quite well. This goes a way towards making up for her poor footwork. And she may be slow, but Golovin lacks the power to hit through even the slowest players. Problem is, a faster player wouldn't be pushed on to the defensive so easily, and Golovin took advantage of that by taking over the points and dictating play whenever possible until she ran Ivanovic ragged and/or forced the error or the easy putaway out of her. On her previous matches with Ivanovic, Golovin just kept feeding her with shallow, low-risk shots down the middle for Ivanovic to blast away for winners, but now she seems to be playing a more aggressive game, taking more risks with her shots and hitting deeper in general. Her shot selection, particularly at the net, still needs some work, but there are signs of improvement.

Golovin played smarter also in the way she saved her energies for when it really mattered. She didn't try to chase Ivanovic's winners, while Ivanovic frequently stomped behing the baseline trying to reach the unreachable on irrelevant points. I remember that, early on the third set, there was a monumental battle on one Golovin's service games that Golovin ended up winning after Ivanovic made several last ditch gets. I thought that Ivanovic, not the most athletic of players, was wearing herself out, and the very next game she indeed seem deflated and got broken quite easily.