Ivanovic ousted at Rome Masters

Reigning French Open champion, Ana Ivanovic, became the latest casualty of the 2009 Rome Masters on Wednesday, losing to Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 in a three set epic at the Foro Italico.

Ivanovic recovered well from a dreadful first set to take the second set with ease. The Serb was 4-0 ahead in the third set and appeared destined to book herself a place in the quarterfinals, before Radwanska rallied with a stunning fightback, winning the next six games to send Ivanovic packing.

I think I was playing pretty well, especially in the third set and the second set,” Ivanovic said after the match. “But she played really well. My serve is getting much better. I feel power on it. It’s back. I just have to stick with the things I’ve been doing.”

World number one Dinara Safina also faced a fight for survival in the third round of the WTA Rome Masters on Wednesday, and needed three sets to put down the challenge of China’s Zheng Jie in a hard-fought 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (7/3) victory.