2 Jan 2014

Ivanovic to meet Flipkens in Auckland semi-final

10:22 pm on 2 January 2014

The Auckland tennis Classic second seed, Ana Ivanovic, will meet her doubles partner, Kirsten Flipkens, in the tournament's semi-finals, after a 6-2 6-3 win over Japan's Kurumi Nara.

The Serbian got off to a shaky start in the first set, with the 5 ft 2" Nara holding her own against her 6 ft opponent for the first few games.

But Ivanovic settled into her game as the first set progressed, and was too strong for her Japanese opponent, dominating the remainder of the match.

Earlier, the third seeded Belgian, Kirsten Flipkens, beat the Japanese qualifier, Sachie Ishizu, 6-4, 7-5.

Ishizu is ranked 204 in the world - well below the 20th ranked Flipkens, but the 21-year-old tested the Belgian, leading the second set 5-2 at one stage.

But Flipkens' experience shone through, coming back to win four straight games to take the match.

Flipkens and Ivanovic will playing together in the doubles quarter-finals this afternoon, against third seeds Lucie Hradecka and Michaella Krajicek.