Ana Ivanovic defeated Yulia Putintseva, 6-3 6-1 in 79 minutes to advance to the third round of the 2015 BNP Paribas Open.  This was a very steady performance from Ivanovic who has been blowing a little hot and cold during 2015 so far.  Ivanovic started the year in encouraging form in Brisbane where she reached the final and lost out to Maria Sharapova in a tight three setter.  However, a toe injury derailed her Australian Open preparations where she lost in the first round against Lucie Hradecka.  Since Australia, Ivanovic has lost to Karolina Pliskova (Dubai, R3) and Caroline Garcia (Monterrey, SF).

In her first match in Indian Wells, Ivanovic faced three break points in her first two service games, but saved them all with forehand winners to go up 3-0*.  She rode that break to the end to bag the opening set, 6-3.  Ivanovic had too much power and consistency from the baseline although Putintseva did produce a handful of superbly played points.  Many of the hotshots in the first set came from Putintseva and her celebrations were pretty hysterical.  Putintseva’s backhand slice was very impressive including one outright winner that completely caught Ivanovic off-guard.  Putintseva, who won three matches this week coming through as a qualifier, hung around at the end of the set with some typically gutsy play.

Putintseva is always good value to watch.  Most matches featuring Putintseva are eventful and this one didn’t disappoint.  The world number 107 is somewhat of a cult legend among WTA fans.  It’s not difficult to see why…

Ivanovic played a very assured second set, looking in control off both wings.  However she did seem to injure her elbow at the very end and was seen asking the umpire for the trainer.  She did well to get the job done and break Putintseva at the very end.  She held her arm after hitting the winning shot and it will be interesting to see if that proves to be an issue in her next match where she will play either Caroline Garcia or Polona Hercog.  Garcia beat Ivanovic just last week in Monterrey so if the Frenchwoman were to come through that match, it would be a fascinating rematch…

Screencaps from TennisTV coverage