Welcome Back, Ana Ivanovic!

Ana Ivanovic's problems in regaining the form that took her to world number 1 in 2008 are well documented by now. Nevertheless, we just got to admire the fierce determination and hard work she puts into getting her career back on track. The first signs of a rejuvenation came at the end of 2010, when, after pairing up with Heinz Günthardt, she picked up titles at Linz and Bali. Their collaboration came to an abrupt end in January 2011 though and the Serb was left wandering once again.
Desperately searching for something to boost her performances, she teamed up with Nigel Sears after Wimbledon, the former LTA coach making a serious contribution to the development of British tennis. Under his guidance, five British women broke into the world's top 100, out of which two made the top 50. Additionally, two girls (i.e. Laura Robson and Heather Watson) won junior grand slam titles. After a surprising first round defeat to Japanese Ayumi Morita at Stanford, Sear's help began to be noticed, as Ivanovic started to improve her results. Although she was by far nowhere near her utmost best, she remained patient and willing to go the extra mile. Her efforts paid off at the end of the season when she successfully defended her Bali Tournament of Champions crown. 

This success brough some much needed reassurance and, consequently, she started 2012 following the same approach. With a new mind-frame, she now works harder, keeps patient, enjoys tennis and, most important, takes it one match at a time. And it looks like, step by step, she is rediscovering the exciting Ana that thrilled the crowds with her ferocious forehand and whipping serve. After a fourth round defeat to Kvitova at the Australian Open, Ana rekindled her magic at Indian Wells, one her favourite stops on the WTA tour. The 2008 champion, Ivanovic posed some of her best wins in years, managing to take out last year's finalists, champion and former world number 1 Caroline Wozniacki in the last 16, respectively runner-up Marion Bartoli in the quarterfinals. Although a back injury forced her to retire during the semifinal clash with Russian Maria Sharapova, this week showed plenty of promising signs. It appears as though the once magnificient Ana Ivanovic still exists somewhere within. It's just a matter of bringing her out. If she can do that on a constant basis, the Serb will pose a huge threat to the leading squad atop of the rankings.

Ivanovic avenged the Dubai loss she suffered a few days ago to the Dane by beating her 6-3,6-2 in the fourth round of Indian Wells.

By beating Marion Bartoli 6-3,6-4, Ana avenged another loss, the Frenchwoman stopping her at the stage of the tournament last year.

A low back injury left Ana frustrated as she had to retire while trailing 6-4,1-0 to Maria Sharapova in their semifinal clash.

photos (top-down): GETTY IMAGES, AP(x2), GETTY IMAGES