Ivanovic makes winning start for new coach in Dubai

Ivanovic makes winning start for new coach in DubaiDubai, UAE  - Ana Ivanovic got off to a winning start under new coach Craig Kardon, reaching the second round in a stroll at the Barclays Championships on Monday.

The French Open winner only teamed with the American a week or so ago in hopes of stopping her slide after winning Roland Garros but failing to back up that big win.

The Serb defeated Russian Alisa Kleybanova 7-5, 6-4 to take revenge for a third-round upset loss in the Australian Open, the last time Ivanovic played a WTA match.

"I wanted revenge but I was nervous," confessed the Serb. "I've been working on being more aggressive, I also served very well."

Ivanovic lost an early break for 4-1 before winning the set from a 5-5 deadlock. In the ninth game of the second, the Serb saved a break point on her way to victory.

The younger of two teenaged Polish sisters won a sibling clash, with 18-year-old Ursula Radwanska beating 19-year-old Agnieszka 6-4, 6-3 to reach a WTA second round for the first time since early October.

"I was trying not to think who was across the other side of the net," said Ursula. "It's always tough to play against a sister, but I'm happy I'm in the second round.

"But she's also sick, she's not feeling good."

The Poles are the second set of sisters in the field along with Venus and Serena Williams.

Former US Open winner Svetlana Kuznetsova, seeded seventh, crashed out to Russian compatriot Elena Vesnina 6-4, 3-6, 6-0. "I was so frustrated, it felt like I was playing against myself," she said.

Australian Open quarter-finalist Marion Bartoli swept her first set but still had to get out of trouble to secure a win over Japanese veteran Ai Sugiyama, 6-0, 4-6, 7-6 (8-6) in just over two and a half hours.

Romania's Monica Niculescu defeated China's Peng Shuai 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, while Slovak Daniela Hantuchova safely overcame Swiss wild card Stefanie Voegele 7-5, 6-2.

Francesca Schiavone of Italy swept aside Australia's Casey Dellacqua, taking exactly an hour to win 6-1, 6-1.

Jelena Jankovic plus both Williams sister make their starts on Tuesday at the Aviation club. (dpa)

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