NEW YORK. Dominika Cibulkova caused the first major upset of the 2015 US Open beating former world number 1, Ana Ivanovic (7) 6-3 3-6 6-3 in just under 2 hours. by Anotonio Volpe Pasini
“[I]t’s a great first round. I knew it was going to be a really tough match. She’s a great opponent. But I knew my game is getting together. Even last week in New Haven I was playing well. I lost to Safarova in a tight three-setter, but I knew that my game is getting together. So I’m just happy I had the chance to play the first match on Ashe Stadium today. It gave extra energy, extra motivation, and it was just a great match.”
The 2014 Australian Open semifinalist was leading up a set and break with game points to go up 4-1. However, her game collapsed losing 5 straight games to put Ivanovic back into the match with the 2nd set. “I knew I could close it in the second set. I was up 3-1, 40-0 but then I lost my rhythm a little bit. I was not playing as aggressive as before and she took advantage of that,” said Cibulkova.
Cibulkova came back strong in the 3rd set to eventually have the upset. “She’s a great player. But I knew I was the better on the court today. I just had to be active and I just had to go for my shots. I was also really strong mentally today. I was 4-2 up, 15-40 on my serve, and these are the points that make the difference against such a player.”
The Slovakian lost badly in the first round of Wimbledon earlier this summer having missed the French Open altogether and made it to the quarterfinals in Melbourne. Cibulkova missed much of the year as she was recovering from an Achilles injury which required surgery. Speaking on the matter, Cilbukova had this to say, “Yeah, I’m fit; I’m feeling good. At Wimbledon when I started my first tournament I wasn’t 100%, but now I am feeling 100% healthy. That’s what gives me extra confidence, too.”
This win has definitely renewed the confidence of the diminutive player and she is definitely backing herself to do well at this event. “The end is still pretty far. I just passed the first round. Obviously I beat a great player, but now I want to keep going. I have been far in a Grand Slam so I know what it takes. I know what you have to do. Today I’m just happy with my performance. I think I’m going to watch a little bit of the match, but from tomorrow on I have to prepare for my second round. I just take big confidence from here. I didn’t play for four, five months this year, so it’s, for me, huge to win here in the first round of a Grand Slam.”
