20 Jan 2014

Auckland win inspires Ivanovic in Melbourne

11:35 am on 20 January 2014

Resurgent Serbian tennis star Ana Ivanovic says she stayed in the moment so as not to be overwhelmed by the challenge of beating world number one Serena Williams in the upset of week one at the Australian Open.

Ivanovic came from behind to topple Williams 4-6 6-3 6-3 to reach the fourth round and open up the women's singles draw in Melbourne.

The winner of the recent Auckland Classic had never even taken a set off the American great before but is now thinking of adding to her one grand slam title, the 2008 French Open.

Ivanovic says she tried not to think about the world number one's 17 grand slam titles and just to concentrate on the next ball.

She says her recent win over Venus Williams in the final of this month's Auckland classic helped her topple younger sister Serena, who after the match revealed she was close to withdrawing from the tournament beforehand, because of a back injury.