A former top-ranked player, Ivanovic dropped only three
points on her service games in the first set, and struck the ball so
effectively that few rallies lasted more than four shots.
The Serb withdrew from the doubles competition to minimize
the chances of a recurrence of her recent wrist problems.
“It's work in progress,” Ivanovic said. “I had a few
disappointing losses on clay, but I am just enjoying competing again on grass.
“It brings a lot of nice memories for me,” the former
Wimbledon semifinalist added. “Since the first match I have felt good about
myself, and my game. I am just trying to enjoy it while it lasts.” Lucic, who
was playing in her second quarterfinal in three tournaments on the WTA Tour,
also had reason to feel good about her week, despite the defeat.
The American-based Croatian played some fierce drives,
sometimes forcing Ivanovic on to the back foot.
However she lost her serving rhythm in the eighth game,
delivering four double faults, and effectively losing the set.
Lucic also dropped serve at the start of the second set, but
just when it seemed Ivanovic was taking control, she too faltered and lost a
game on a double fault.
Both women struggled with their service games throughout the
second set but Ivanovic had the telling break to take a 5-4 lead, allowing the
Serb to serve for the match.
In the semifinal, Ivanovic will play Daniela Hantuchova of
Slovakia who earlier ended the run of American Alison Riske.
Last year Riske came through the qualifying competition, won
six matches and was awarded a Wimbledon wild card. This time around the
105th-ranked American celebrated a direct entry into the grass court Grand Slam
by upsetting Aravane Rezai, the eighth-seeded French player, in the third round
here.
Against Hantuchova, Riske played well, but missed her chance
in the second set of a 6-2, 6-4 defeat.
The American led 4-3 and had Hantuchova at break point down
in the next game. But after returning serve she missed a chance to convert the
opportunity, hitting a backhand long.
Then, instead of serving to level the match at a set-all she
found herself serving to save it, ending the contest with a double fault.
