September 28, 2007 / Luxembourg
Ana scored a highly impressive 6-1, 6-2 win over world No.19 Tatiana Golovin in the quarter-finals of the FORTIS Championships. The second seed gave a masterful performance, totally outplaying the Frenchwoman as she completed victory in a super-quick 57 minutes.A close encounter was anticipated, given that three of the pair's previous matches had gone to three sets - and Golovin had won their last encounter - but Ana overwhelmed her opponent with a flurry of winners. She was virtually unplayable and served four aces during a completely one-sided affair.As brilliant as Ana was, Golovin was far from her best. She began poorly and Ana capitalised, breaking in the opening game. Golovin got her name on the scoreboard in the third game, but Ana won nine straight games to seal the opening set and move to within a game of victory.The 19-year-old sealed the opening set with a spectacular crosscourt forehand as she broke Golovin for the third time. Any fears that Ana's level might drop in the second set were dispelled as she served three aces in the opening game. Thereafter it was a festival of shot-making by the world No.6. She broke to 15 in the second game with a deft, casual-looking single-handed backhand crosscourt pass that brought a warm smile to her face.Another single-handed backhand passing shot in the following game even brought a smile to the Frenchwoman's face, as she seemingly recognised the near-perfection of Ana's performance. At this moment, Ana hadn't faced any break points, but she fell 0-40 behind as she served for the match at 5-1. She saved all three break points, the third with a stunning forehand swing volley, but Golovin converted her fourth.It proved to be only temporary respite for the eighth seed. Ana piled pressure on Golovin's serve in the following game and clinched victory on her second match point when the French No.3 hit a forehand long.Ana will Russia's Vera Zvonareva in the semi-finals on Saturday.
Photo: Manuela Davies / doubleXposure.com
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