Maturation, Confidence Evident in Ivanovic's Title
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14 Wednesday 11th June, 2008 by Greg Garber Euro 2008 After failing to capitalize in her first two Grand Slam final appear- ances, Ana Maturation, Without Henry Ivanovic came through. and Vieira, Growing up in Serbia, Ana Ivanovic confidence evident in France held to dreamed of playing in a Grand Slam draw by Romania final, just like her idol, Ivanovic's title run by Bradley S. Klapper Monica ZURICH, Switzerland (AP) - France has been here before, when it thing I want to change. Eventually, she stepped up onto a "I didn't have any more of that stumbled to a scoreless draw in its open- Tomorrow, when I go on the rickety linesperson's chair, negotiat- fire that I had in those matches," she ing match at the World Cup before mak- court, keep working hard for ed the railing and was engulfed by said. "I was just, I think, tired. Even ing it all the way to the final. each point." coaches, family and friends. if I would want, but my heart could- This time, however, the recovery act Part of her, she reiterated on The first set was an appropriate n't and my body couldn't do it any could be a lot harder to pull off. Saturday, was already thinking of opportunity for Ivanovic to collapse more." "Now every match lost means elim- holding the trophy. as she had against Henin and That the sterling championship ination," France coach Raymond This time, Ivanovic never got Sharapova. She was up a break and trophies were awarded by Henin was Domenech said. too far ahead of herself. The 20- serving at 40-love when Safina exert- appropriate. Henin, who won the past Les Bleus were held to a 0-0 draw by year-old Serbian stubbornly stayed ed herself and broke back to level the three titles here at Roland Garros, Romania on Monday in a defensive in the massive moment. Point by match at 4-4. But Ivanovic never retired before she could win a record match at the European Championship point, game by game she built a stopped firing those huge ground- fourth and fifth overall. Did she see almost entirely lacking in scoring grinding 6-4, 6-3 victory over Dinara strokes. She broke Safina back and this coming? Perhaps. Henin wore a chances. Safina. then held at 5-4 in the best game of jacket that was precisely the same "Maybe the French are bored with Seeing Safina -- playing in her the match. Ivanovic blew a set point, color as Ivanovic's boiled-lobster-red playing at the highest level and let us first Grand Slam final -- across the then saved a game point, then thun- dress. Henin, giving more than 6 Romanians win a point," Piturca said. net had a soothing effect, for dered another forehand that Safina inches to each player, looked tiny With captain Patrick Vieira out Ivanovic saw herself. could not keep in the court. standing between Safina and injured and record scorer Thierry "When I was in the court, I Safina, who was also seeking her Ivanovic. Henry on the bench, France edged pos- realized she was nervous," first Grand Slam title, has worked When the strains of Serbia's session but failed to penetrate a Ivanovic said. "It made hard to improve her on-court national anthem wafted over Court Romanian back line led by Gabriel me more calm because demeanor. It worked gloriously in the Philippe Chatrier, tears welled in Tamas, with regular defensive pick I had that experience." past two tournaments, in which she Ivanovic's eyes. When it was over, Cristian Chivu in midfield as part of a Ivanovic, with her won 12 straight matches and sent there was a new world order. For the formation drawn up by coach Victor Serbia's Ana Ivanovic waves to the fresh, Catherine Zeta-Jonesish fea- home six top-10 players. She even sur- first time ever, a Serbian player -- not Piturca. public after defeating compatriot tures, is now on top of the women's vived match points here against an American, Belgian, Russian or It may have been conservative, but Jelena Jankovic during their semifinal match of the French Open tennis tournament, tennis world. Not only has she Sharapova and Elena Dementieva. Swiss -- is No. 1 in the world. The new it worked. Thursday, June 5, 2008 at the Roland Garros earned her first Grand Slam singles But when Ivanovic broke her serve in top five will feature two Serbs Domenech noted the similarities stadium in Paris. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) title, but on Monday she will become the third game of the second set, the (Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic) and between the match and the 0-0 draw with the No. 1 player when the Sony racket was sent bouncing into the three Russians (Svetlana Kuznetsova, Switzerland in the 2006 World Cup in Seles. Ericsson WTA Tour singles rankings dirt and the flow of the Russian's self- Sharapova and Dementieva). Germany. France followed that with a 1- In 2007, here at Roland Garros, are updated. flagellation increased. In January, Novak Djokovic won a 1 result against South Korea, and Ivanovic finally achieved that goal, "You want to make one more step This is not to say there weren't Grand Slam singles title for a war- secured a place in the second round with but was embarrassed by Justine and win a title," Ivanovic said. flashes of nerves. torn country not know for its tennis. a 2-0 victory over Togo. Henin 6-1, 6-2. It happened again "Obviously, there were a lot of emo- Serving at 3-2 in the second set, Now, Ivanovic is Serbia's first No. 1 "The history of this match is almost Down Under back in January, when tions inside, but until the last point I Ivanovic started tightening up. She player. These events are not random exactly the same: the heat, the field, the Maria Sharapova ruined Ivanovic's tried to [not] think about the occa- double-faulted on game point and occurrences. stadium were reminiscent," Domenech second major final with a 7-5, 6-3 sion." pushed a fragile backhand into the "Going into today's final, I said. "That match was also tense, but defeat. Ivanovic is not, it turns out, too net. On the 13th and 14th points, thought of his victory earlier this that's always the case in the first match." Ivanovic, through the tears, took nice to win a major championship. Ivanovic escaped when Safina sent year," she said. "And I thought, 'Why The result leaves France and these devastating losses to heart. And after the last shot trickled off back-to-back forehands wide. In the not? I can win a title as well.' Romania with one point in Group C, the "When I went to play these finals I Safina's racket, after Ivanovic had end, Safina simply did not have "It's something that motivates us, toughest of the competition's first was thinking more about result, what buried her face in her hands and another three-set comeback in her. and I'm sure he will also reach his round. France plays the Netherlands on if I win this match, not what I have hugged Safina at the net, Ivanovic After successfully avoiding her goal of being No. 1 one day.I feel so Friday and then finishes up against to do to win the match," Ivanovic said looked truly tentative for the first irascible ways for most of the tourna- happy.It's my incentive to keep work- Italy next week. on Friday, the day before her third time. She paused, trying to imagine a ment, Dinara Safina was not able to ing hard, so I can win more." That looks a lot tougher than South Grand Slam final. "So that's some- path to the people in her box. handle the big stage. (ESPN) Korea and Togo. The best chance fell to France strik- er Nicolas Anelka in the 33rd minute. After a short corner, Franck Ribery's cross into the Romanian box evaded everyone, bouncing up high to Anelka at CCC School of Cricket wins all India Pepsi Cup for third time the far post. The 29-year-old Chelsea player had time to pick a spot with his header, but sent the ball over the cross- bar. France seemed intent on control- ling the match early, spreading the ball around the midfield with ease but fail- ing to penetrate. Without Henry, who has not trained in four days, France's tactical play lacked creativity. The team has yet to disclose the nature of the 30- year-old FC Barcelona striker's injury. "We knew we would be up against a well organized team, well grouped in defense," said midfielder Claude Makelele, who was named man of the match. "We did what we had to do, except that we could not create clear chances. This Romania team was solid at the back and did not make many mis- takes." While France had all the first-half possession, Romania looked for opportu- CCC Under 11Cricket Team CCC Under 13 Cricket Team nities to counter. Adrian Mutu had one shot blocked The CCC School cricket creat- very well to annex the U-11 Pepsi grabbing 5 wickets for a mere one and Yasiru Rabel. ship of 156 runs with Trevin [146 and sent another wide, before latching ed a record when their Under-13 Cup title in the first year of par- run, in his 5 overs spell of which Under 11 team: Gavin (20x4) (93x6)] and Gavin {46 [7x4 onto a 40-meter (yard) pass from and Under-11 teams, both won ticipation.