Ivanovic ready for Sharapova challenge

The pain of her 2008 Australian Open final loss to Maria Sharapova still burns for Ana Ivanovic.

But the Serbian glamour girl said it had only made her stronger – and may yet steel her for a Brisbane International triumph over the fellow world No.1 on Saturday.

Top seed Sharapova continued to bulldoze her way through the Brisbane field, booking a final showdown with Ivanovic by brushing aside Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina 6-1 6-3 on Friday night.

She has dropped just nine games in the tournament.

And the world No.2 will no doubt back herself again on Saturday thanks to a 9-4 record against the Serb.

However, world No.7 Ivanovic believed on Saturday Sharapova would face a much tougher prospect than she was used to – and the Russian may only have her herself to blame.

Second seed Ivanovic said she could still remember her 7-5 6-3 Australian Open final loss to Sharapova in 2008.

“Yeah, vividly,” Ivanovic said after overcoming American Varvara Lepchenko 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 in their rollercoaster semi-final at Pat Rafter Arena on Friday.

“It was my second grand slam final and I really thought I could do it, you know.

“I didn’t really sleep much after that.

“That was a tough loss, but it made me stronger.”

By the next grand slam that year Ivanovic was triumphantly hoisting up the 2008 French Open title.

Seven years later Ivanovic believed she had the fire in the belly again – and it had nothing to do with an abdominal strain she was nursing.

Ivanovic said she was approaching her game differently after finding an off-court life balance.

“It (abdominal complaint) is just a bit sore – the first tournament of the season you’re always going to get little niggles,” she said.

Not that Sharapova had to be told of the imminent Ivanovic threat.

“She had a phenomenal year last year – some of the best results of her career,” five-time grand slam winner Sharapova said of Ivanovic who in 2014 finished the year in the top five for the first time since 2008.

“She is a much more confident player than the years before and that’s great to see.”

Meanwhile in the Brisbane men’s semi-finals on Saturday, Swiss great Roger Federer takes on world No.11 Grigor Dimitrov while US Open finalist Kei Nishikori battles big-serving third seed Milos Raonic at Pat Rafter Arena.

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!