Crowd loyalties were divided but “Aussie Ana” emerged a 7-5 1-6 6-3 winner in her first-round match-up with Jelena Dokic at the Brisbane International on Monday.
Ana Ivanovic may officially be a third-seeded Serbian at the tournament but she has also become an adopted Australian since hooking up with local golfer Adam Scott.
And just like Kim Clijsters when she was adopted by Aussie crowds during her engagement to Lleyton Hewitt, Ivanovic received warm local support as she beat the Australian player in 99 minutes.
Video: Ana Ivanovic at Underwater World
Video: Jelena Dokic at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
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Dokic, 26, became the darling of Australian tennis when she took her wildcard all the way to the Australian Open quarterfinals last year.
But the Brisbane crowd was clearly torn by the presence of Ivanovic with Queenslander Scott in attendance at Pat Rafter Arena for his partner’s first tournament in four months.
Ivanovic, 21, is on the comeback trail after an injury-marred 2009 saw her finish the year ranked 21st in the world.
The former world No.1 has spent the past month preparing for the tournament on the Sunshine Coast with her high-profile boyfriend after following him around on the golf course at the Australian PGA.
In all, it was a “very frustrating” year for Ivanovic – at least her new beau could understand.
Coincidentally Scott also had a shocker – but Ivanovic said they would both emerge “stronger” from the experience.
World No.56 Dokic also bowed in the 2009 Brisbane International first round – to Amelie Mauresmo – before her fairytale run at Melbourne.
Unforced errors by Dokic helped Ivanovic close out the first set before the Australian came alive in the second.
Dokic hit winner after winner to race to a 5-0 lead before being broken, only to recover and win the second set in 25 minutes.
Ivanovic did not hold her serve in the second set.
Roles were reversed in the third as Ivanovic broke Dokic three times to win the set in 31 minutes.
More to come.