Ana Ivanovic Breezes to Third Round

NEW YORK -- Ana Ivanovic, the 2008 French Open champ, advanced to the third round of the U.S. Open with a 6-3, 6-0 victory over No. 21 seed Zheng Jie on Wednesday at Ashe Stadium. The former No. 1 player is currently ranked 40th.

"I feel like I'm playing like a top-10 player," Ivanovic said after the match. "I have confidence that I can beat these players. That's huge for me."

The popular player from Serbia was not considered a contender entering this year's Open. Since winning the French Open two years ago, Ivanovic has not advanced past the fourth round of any major. She was forced to retire during a semifinal in Cincinnati in August against Kim Clijsters with a left foot injury. She also withdrew last week from the Pilot Penn tournament in New Haven, citing the injury.

On the other side of the court was the 23rd-ranked Jie, who defeated Marion Bartoli and Justine Henin on her way to the semifinals at the Australian in January. She did, however, lose in the first round last week in New Haven to Sara Errani.

The 22-year-old Ivanovic won 18 of 23 points on her first serve and was effective at the net, winning 10 of the 13 points when she attacked. Zheng double-faulted five times and looked dispirited throughout the second set while getting blanked.

Ivanovic will face the winner of Wednesday's match between Marion Bartoli and Virginie Razzano, both of France.

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