Henin coasts, Ivanovic struggles at German Open

BERLIN: Defending champion Ana Ivanovic overcame a slow start Wednesday to beat Uzbek qualifier Akgul Amanmuradova 7-6 (0), 6-2 and reach the round of 16 at the German Open.
The second-ranked Serb couldn't break her opponent's serve in the first set, but pulled it out in the tiebreaker with precise drop shots and forehand winners that hit the line.
Ivanovic took control in the second set against the 1.90-meter (6-foot-3) Amanmuradova, who only entered the main draw when former No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo pulled out injured Monday.
"This was the tournament that made me. I found my game here," the 20-year-old Ivanovic said of last year's win. "Ever since then I have the confidence to believe I can be a top player."
Ivanovic had more trouble against Amanmuradova, a former basketball player, than anticipated.
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"I definitely didn't perform well," Ivanovic said. "She's very tall, she has a strong serve and they kicked high. It took me time to get used to them,"
Top-ranked Justine Henin also advanced, beating Chan Yung-jan of Taiwan 6-0, 6-2.
The Belgian returned from a break looking to regain confidence after a 6-2, 6-0 pounding by Serena Williams in her last match - the most one-sided loss for a No. 1 player in nine years.
"If I can get my confidence back, then it has to be here," said Henin, a three-time champion. "The German Open has been very good to me."
Fourth-seeded Jelena Jankovic beat Peng Shuai of China 7-5, 6-0, and Victoria Azarenka rallied to upset sixth-seeded Anna Chakvetadze 1-6, 7-6 (1), 6-4.
The German Open, with 17 of the world's top 20 players in the field, is expected to establish a favorite for the upcoming French Open.
Ivanovic believes this year the favorite has to be Williams, who is riding a 16-match winning streak, and not four-time French Open champion Henin.
"Henin has mastered clay, but I think the game is getting more powerful, like Serena is playing," she said.
A second title in Berlin would also rank Ivanovic, a two-time Grand Slam finalist, among the French Open contenders.
"I definitely think I have the game," the Serb said. "At the French Open final, I was just too nervous. At the Australian, it was better. It's a learning experience."