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Ivanovic definitely left a better impression

Ivanovic did a good match with Serena, but that is sometimes just not enough to beat her. Bouchard lost to Halep easily, proving that she needs more matches and more praticing

Bouchard struggled with injuries quite a lot the last few months, pulling out of Linz second round match to prepare for this tournament in Singapore as best as possible:

- I don't want to jeopardize Singapore. I will take quite a lot of days off to rest properly. I probably won't have ideal training sessions but I'll do my best.

It's quite significant that she said she will rest for quite a lot of days and that she really needs to rest. As she confirmed after the Halep match, she didn't spend much time training and that was very obvious, with Bouchard failing to take control of her shots and 30 errors (19 more than Halep) that only go to prove it. Bouchard is playing with a bandage over her left thigh here with her movement not at the best level for the most part of the match.

- That's not the problem, I think the lack of practice in the last week is. It's a bit tricky, I wish I played more lately but I'll do my best - Boachard said.

Halep outplayed her in every segment of the game to bring the match to its end in just over an hour. Bouchard simply didn't have the answer to Halep's toughness. Bouchard said that she usually takes a day off after a defeat to keep her mind off it.

- I need to move on faster than that, that can be a good thing - said the highest ranked Canadian ever.

She is ranked 5th in the WTA table as of this week, with her opponent beating the Top 5 players 14 times in her carrier so far. Interestingly tough, Ivanovic lost 19 out of the last 20 top 5 matches. She managed to beat only Serena this year at Australian Open. Bouchard beat Ivanovic in both of their head-to-head matches - once this year at Australian Open and once last season. Both of those were Grand Slam wins, and Bouchard proved to be doing particularity well at Grand Slam tournaments this season.

Ivanovic met the No. 1 in the WTA table in her first match here to lose after six years in which she didn't play the WTA Finals. She was nervous, the opponent took the 4-1 lead in the first set, but Ivanovic won three consecutive games to get back and had the break-point at 5-4. But she made a lot of mistakes to lose the first set and the finish of the second one was not better in that respect, allowing Serena to beat her in straight sets. She has a lot to regret about, but her game was good.

- I'm very disappointed for making mistakes in my service games in both sets, especially the first one. I think I created a lot of chances but I was not patient enough while serving - Ivanovic said after her match with Serena.

She should have taken more risk with Serena, not allowing her to take control. But, she didn't and as a result of that recorded 23 errors. But, she also fired 19 winners. Ivanovic will have the chance to attack more especially because Bouchard can't attack her services like Serena could and she probably won't fire 12 aces like Williams did.

- Serena served very well today and put a lot of pressure on me in my service games. I didn't feel my rhythm at first, but it was there in the second set. But that is sometimes just not enough against Serena - Ivanovic said and added:

- You need to try and do every aspect of your game at a very high level. That will be my main focus in the matches to come.

Bouchard did beat Ivanovic twice but both of those were Grand Slam matches, the first one being at Wimbledon last year, when Ivanovic still knew nothing about the opponent. We know what Bouchard did at grand Slams this year, among other players beating this opponent. I think Ivanovic has the upper hand today for a number of reasons, especially because she left a better impression in the first match here. Ivanovic stood up to Serena while Bouchard had no chance against Halep. There's also the trouble Bouchard's been having with injuries which resulted in a lack of matches and practice sessions. Plus, this whole experience is new for Bouchard and she still needs time to prove her game indoors. Ivanovic has become more consistent his season, which is another reason for this bet because of Bouchard's game style. This is crucial match for Ivanovic, but for all the aforementioned reasons, I give her my trust.