Ana Ivanovic beat Alisa Kleybanova 6-2 7-6 (7-5) to win the Tournament of Champions in Bali on Sunday.
Serb sees off Kleybanova to clinch Tournament of Champions title
Ana Ivanovic beat Alisa Kleybanova 6-2 7-6 (7-5) to win the Tournament of Champions in Bali on Sunday.
The Serbian was forced to weather some heavy hitting from her Russian opponent early on, but having done so broke to forge 4-2 ahead.
She then went on to win 11 consecutive points to close out the first set.
Kleybanova looked to have found a route back into the match as she secured an early break to move 2-1 up in the second, but Ivanovic hit straight back to get herself on terms again, converting break point with a stunning winner down the line.
She then saved two break points at 5-5 as the set headed into a tie-break and it was the Serb who held her nerve, sealing victory with her eighth ace of the contest.
The win, which follows on from her recent title triumph in Linz, ensured the former French Open winner and world number one will rise to 17 in the latest rankings - her highest position for more than a year.
Speaking after the match of her improving fortunes, Ivanovic commented: "I got to number one and I thought: 'This is great and I have to play even better to improve', and I started changing my technique and the way I was working.
Confidence
"It wasn't good because I had a certain rhythm and I lost that, and then a few injuries crept in and then you lose matches you expect to win. That was hard and I took it very personally and was very hard on myself and brought myself down.
"Having more wins under your belt helps build your confidence, but it's a long process. At one point I wasn't really aware of that. I wanted to have results and get back to the top straight away but sometimes it takes longer than you anticipate.
"It was a big thing for me to realise it takes time and you have to be patient.
"There will be some up and downs until to get to that level where I feel comfortable playing against top players all the time, but I feel very confident about my game and my fitness.
"I feel my game is getting close to where it used to be and I'm even more aggressive, and experience-wise I'm much more mature and a more complete player now."
