The Serbian Ana Ivanovic, the ninth favorite, settled the American Venus Williams (8), a finalist in 2003, 7-6 (3) and 6-4, and was placed in the semifinals of the Australian Open which will be measured with the Slovak Daniela Hantuchova (9).
In less than 24 hours, the Serbian power left out of the tournament with the two Williams sisters. On Tuesday, Jelena Jankovic (3), also from Serbia, had defeated Serena, the champion title, by 6-3 and 6-4, and now a battered Venus, who played with a strong bandage on the right thigh, succumbed to Ivanovic in one hour and 46 minutes.
Europe has just about packed with representatives of the four posts in the semi-finals of the first big year-Ivanovic Hantuchova and Sharapova-Jankovic.
Ivanovic was a finalist at Roland Garros and semifinalist at Wimbledon last year. With their victory today, reached the third semifinal of a Grand Slam of his career. The Belgrade had many illusions placed in the party today, because in four matches against Venus encounters, was unable to win even a single set.
But today Ivanovic played loose on a track that loves to take advantage of the weak service of his opponent and gain the first part. After losing to Venus was launched a desperate attack and came to lead the second 3-0. Ivanovic, connecting stunning blows from the baseline was able to equalize and forcing Venus to exchange those who came with not too clearly. And then pulled out the Serbian party to sign up its first victory against him.