Skip to main content

Ivanovic defeats Suarez Navarro but Pavlyuchenko stung in Qatar

February 13, 2012 -- Updated 2125 GMT (0525 HKT)
2008 French Open champion Ana Ivanovic has slipped down to 19th in the world rankings.
2008 French Open champion Ana Ivanovic has slipped down to 19th in the world rankings.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Serbian Ana Ivanovic beats Carla Suarez Navarro at Qatar Open
  • World No. 19 into second round after Spanish opponent retires hurt
  • 10th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenko beaten by Kazakhstan's Ksenia Pervak
  • Svetlana Kuznetsova beats Spain's Maria Jose Martinez-Sanchez 7-5 6-3

(CNN) -- Serbia's Ana Ivanovic made it into the second round of the Qatar Open after Spanish opponent Carla Suarez Navarro retired injured.

The world No. 19 was leading 6-1 4-1 when Suarez Navarro retired due to a back injury and will face either Petra Martic, from Croatia, or the Czech Republic's Petra Cetkovska in round three.

Ivanovic, French Open champion in 2008, was pleased with her form and told reporters she still harbors hopes of reaching No. 1 in the world.

"Well, that's why I'm here," she said. "If I didn't think so, I probably wouldn't be sitting here. But, yeah, I definitely believe so."

Kerber emulates Graf with Paris Open triumph

But Ivanovic admitted the competition on the WTA Tour is fierce in 2012. She added: "A lot more girls can challenge top players from the early rounds.

"That's exciting for us, because we do want challenges. But I feel like those girls that are on top at the moment, they're playing very aggressively, and that's the way you have to play in order to win."

Russia's Svetlana Kuznetsova, seeded 14, made it safely through to round three after a 7-5 6-3 victory over Spaniard Maria Jose Martinez-Sanchez.

But Kuznetsova's compatriot, 10th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenko, was knocked out of the tournament by Kazakhstan's Ksenia Pervak.

Elsewhere, Israel's Shahar Peer overcame Nadia Lalami of Morocco while China's Shuai Peng dismissed Fatma al-Nabhani of Oman.

ADVERTISEMENT
Part of complete coverage on
May 23, 2013 -- Updated 1322 GMT (2122 HKT)
World No. 2 Maria Sharapova reflects on her chances of repeating last year's French Open success at Roland Garros.
May 21, 2013 -- Updated 0939 GMT (1739 HKT)
Swiss tennis player Roger Federer returns a ball to French Gilles Simon during their ATP Tennis Open match in Rome on May 16, 2013 in Rome. Federer won 6-1, 6-2.
Nicknamed the "kissing disease," mononucleosis or glandular fever is a viral illness that is affecting tennis stars.
May 1, 2013 -- Updated 1129 GMT (1929 HKT)
She towers above him, but she can't do without him. Meet the man who has made Maria Sharapova the world's wealthiest female athlete.
April 22, 2013 -- Updated 1511 GMT (2311 HKT)
When Maria Sharapova underwent shoulder surgery five years ago, many thought her tennis career wouldn't last.
April 18, 2013 -- Updated 1258 GMT (2058 HKT)
Nine-year-old Rebecca Suarez stunned onlookers when she was pulled out of the crowd to team up with Del Potro against Nadal.
April 18, 2013 -- Updated 2115 GMT (0515 HKT)
Janko Tipsarevic is of the belief that his fellow professionals aren't doping -- or at least not on a widespread basis.
March 21, 2013 -- Updated 1429 GMT (2229 HKT)
Agnieszka and Urszula Radwanska are hoping to take their relationship to a new level by emulating tennis' most famous sisters.
March 21, 2013 -- Updated 1402 GMT (2202 HKT)
America's 18-time grand slam champion Chris Evert talks to Open Court about her career and training the next generation of players.
March 21, 2013 -- Updated 1344 GMT (2144 HKT)
CNN's Don Riddell speaks with 11-time grand slam champion Rafael Nadal during one of his comeback tournaments in Mexico.
March 21, 2013 -- Updated 1411 GMT (2211 HKT)
Germany's veteran star Tommy Haas opens up to Pat Cash about being away from family on tour, and his many injuries.
March 11, 2013 -- Updated 1150 GMT (1950 HKT)
End of match
You'd think John Isner and Nicolas Mahut would be sick of the sight of each other, but their friendship has grown since that epic match.
March 4, 2013 -- Updated 1608 GMT (0008 HKT)
Almost a decade after Andy Roddick's sole U.S. Open victory, America is still waiting for its next male grand slam winner. What's gone wrong?
February 21, 2013 -- Updated 1621 GMT (0021 HKT)
Open Court's Pat Cash meets American No. 1 John Isner, who experts claim has the potential to win a grand slam.
February 25, 2013 -- Updated 0917 GMT (1717 HKT)
CNN's Pat Cash looks at who the next U.S. grand slam champion might be.
February 21, 2013 -- Updated 1545 GMT (2345 HKT)
CNN's Patrick Snell looks at how the famous couple is helping groom the next generation of tennis stars.
February 21, 2013 -- Updated 1612 GMT (0012 HKT)
He's "Mac the Mouth" both on and off the court -- one of the most controversial and iconic players in tennis history, and he's still talking up a storm.
January 29, 2013 -- Updated 1131 GMT (1931 HKT)
Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have transformed their careers since discovering a diet secret that is battling for mainstream acceptance.
January 28, 2013 -- Updated 1500 GMT (2300 HKT)
Novak Djokovic knew he was going to be a tennis star from an early age when growing up in war-torn Belgrade.
January 17, 2013 -- Updated 1325 GMT (2125 HKT)
Maria Sharapova
Nine women, a bold proposal and a $1 bill. That was what it took for women's tennis to begin a 40-year journey of self-empowerment.
ADVERTISEMENT