| Monday, 23 June 2008 Written by Ronald Atkin Ladies' Day is traditionally on the first Tuesday of the Championships, when the defending women's champion opens proceedings on Centre Court. As a prelude, the showcase court was today treated to an impressive display from the sport's current leading lady, Ana Ivanovic, who ran out a 6-1, 6-2 victor over Rosanna de los Rios.
The number one seed’s victory was achieved in a fashion that underlines why Ivanovic has taken over as world number one since the unexpected retirement of Justine Henin.
The progress of the statuesque 20-year-old Serb has been steady over the past 13 months. An easy loser to Henin in the 2007 French Open final, she went out to eventual champion Venus Williams at the Wimbledon semi-final stage last year. After a fourth-round exit at the US Open, Ivanovic began 2008 in rousing fashion, reaching the Australian Open final, before making her Grand Slam breakthrough at Roland Garros three weeks ago.
Seeking back-to-back Grand Slams at Wimbledon, she got off to an impressive start against the 32-year-old Paraguayan.
De los Rios, whose 11-year-old daughter was watching her mother from the players' box, sported a large patch on her right knee and did not possess enough power of shot to threaten Ivanovic.
The opening set was over in 24 minutes and the South American's determination to make a better fight of it in the second foundered against the clean, vigorous hitting of the number one seed.
Ivanovic broke for a 2-1 second-set lead when de los Rios looped a forehand long and her attempts to extend the match were extinguished when Ivanovic, watched by her parents, Dragana and Miroslav, broke for a 5-2 lead.
De los Rios offered up a break point to Ivanovic when she double-faulted for the only time in the match and then made the mistake of throwing up a lob that fell short, allowing the Serb to smash it away for a winner.
Serving for the match, Ivanovic appeared to have won it with her second ace, only for the Paraguayan to challenge the validity of the shot and be proved right. But the reprieve was short-lived. On the next rally, de los Rios hooked a forehand tamely wide, which was the cue for a victorious Ivanovic to throw kisses to all corners of Centre Court.
| Centre Court - Ladies' Singles - 1st Round | |
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