Ivanovic flying high for Aust Open

Former world No.1 Ana Ivanovic is determined to make the most of her high spirits, starting at the Australian Open.

The Serb has declared 2015 a year to perform in the grand slams, and comes into the Australia Open with both form and fitness.

After playing well in Brisbane, where she lost to top seed Maria Sharapova in a tense three-set final, Ivanovic feels like this could be an opportunity to add to her sole grand slam triumph, the 2008 French Open.

“I feel like I’m ready for next step,” she said.

“Confidence, preparation, everything comes into play.

“It’s a lot to do with confidence, it takes time for certain things to fall into place.”

“Last year I really felt I made big steps towards winning more matches, beating top players.

“These kinds of things you sort of have to have in place in order to do well at the big events.”

Ivanovic surged in the rankings after a season that started with victory in the Australian Open lead-up event in Auckland.

Seeded 14th at Melbourne Park, Ivanovic then bested hot favourite Serena Williams in a classic three-set fourth-round match on Rod Laver Arena.

While she could not cash in on that victory, losing to Eugenie Bouchard in the next round, her form laid the groundwork for a surge up the rankings.

Ivanovic won a career best four WTA titles in 2014, despite failing to make the second week at the year’s other three slams.

But with a fifth seeding in Melbourne, Ivanovic will benefit from the protection of the draw and the confidence gained from her final in Brisbane last week.

“It was really high level for the first tournament of the season,” she said.

“I had lots of tough matches, all kind of challenges there.

“So I definitely feel ready for this week.”

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