ANA IVANOVIC OUT IN THE BANK OF THE WEST CLASSIC 2014

STANFORD, Calif. (www.BankOfTheWestClassic.com) 
In one of the most thrilling tournament matches in recent memory, 17-time Grand Slam champion and World No. 1 Serena Williams outlasted Ana Ivanovic 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 in the quarterfinals on Friday night at the 2014 Bank of the West Classic.

 The contest felt more like a tournament final, with both players alternating momentum swings while battling through periods of adversity. When it was all said and done, Williams remained on track to capture her third Bank of the West Classic title after earning back-to-back crowns in 2011-12. Williams is also seeking her fourth WTA singles title of the year. Competing in her first tournament since early singles and doubles exits at Wimbledon, Williams quickly fell behind after the fifth-seeded Ivanovic stormed to a 6-2 win in the first set. 

Williams then responded for a 6-3 victory to even the match. The third set began with Williams taking a 3-1 lead before Ivanovic ripped off three straight games. Williams then moved in front 5-4, only to see Ivanovic fight back for a 5-5 tie. Williams concluded the match by winning the final two games, relying heavily on her serve as she pounded 10 aces. The possibility of an all-Williams semifinal was derailed earlier in the afternoon when Venus Williams dropped a 6-1, 3-6, 7-5 decision to eighth-seeded Andrea Petkovic, who was forced to rally in the deciding set after holding leads of 3-1 and 5-3.