March 23rd, 2008
Indian Wells, California
While most of the rest of the country was enjoying Easter meals, Ana Ivanovic and Svetlana Kuznetsova were battling it out for the prestigious Tier I Pacific Life Open crown in the deserts of California. The number 1 and 2 seeds were showing the crowd why they deserved to be in the Finals and the great tennis they produced to get there.
The first set was pretty even with both players holding serve and fighting for each point. Heavy defense and ground strokes were on display from both sides throughout the first set. Though it would be last years finalist who faltered first and was broken, allowing Ivanovic to take command and win the first set, 6-4.
The 2nd set featured much of the same as the first set, but Ivanovic would not be denied, moving Kuznetsova around the court and causing errors. Ivanovic quickly took over and before anyone could blink, the Serbian was the winner of the event. Ivanovic defeated Kuznetsova 6-4, 6-3 and took home her first Pacific Life Open crown. Ivanovic had proven, like Kuznetsova in the past to take a liking to the hard courts in North America. This was Ivanovic's 6th career WTA Tour title, and Kuznetsova's 8th loss in a final out of the last 9 Finals she's played.
Next week the WTA Tour stops in Miami for the Sony Ericsson Open, with the return of such players as Justine Henin and the Williams Sisters. Can Ivanovic and Kuznetsova continue their good play to repeat in Miami? Can the Williams Sisters play good tennis to win the event or will the Number 1 player in the world show everyone why she is Number 1. Maria Sharapova has also pulled out citing fatique.
Pacific Life Open
Center Court
Ana Ivanovic d. Svetlana Kuznetsova- 6-4, 6-3
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