New York - Ana Ivanovic took a long detour on the way from Beijing to New York, stopping for successful treatment with her Australian doctor on a string of injuries a week before advancing into the second round of the US Open. The Serbian top seed won her opening match on Tuesday, losing focus in a struggle over two hours, but earning a win over Russian Vera Dushevina 6-1, 4-6, 6-4.
The win was welcome relief after the 20-year-old French Open champion was unable to play the Olympics due to a right thumb problem, now on the mend.
"After Beijing I thought I might not be able to compete here," said the reigning French Open winner.
"I really tried to do everything possible for my recovery - I even went to Australia to see my doctor and to be able to practise."
That strategy not only paid off in massive air-mile accumulation, but also produced the desired result.
"The last couple of days I have been totally without the pain, so it was really good," said Ivanovic, who still does not train for more than one hour per day as a precaution.
She said that Australian tests and scans showed only minor damage. "They found few cysts that were causing inflammation. The doctor just did lots of treatment to me.
"He's also a chiropractor, so he fixed my back and my neck, and everything was so connected," she added in a laundry list of her other minor complaints.
Beijing silver medallist Dinara Safina of Russia, the sixth seed, posted a win over 16-year-old American Kristie Ahn 6-3, 6-4, while Polish ninth seed Agnieszka Radwanska beat Yaroslava Shvedova of Kazakstan 6-4, 6-2.
Safin is carrying the best form on the WTA with finals at six of her last seven events, including titles in Montreal and Stanford and a French Open finals appearance against Ivanovic.
"I have been working really hard all the years," said the 22-year- old. "I had some ups and downs but I still was staying positive. Now finally I have found a coach that he fits me, and fitness coach who is taking care of that I stay in 100 per cent shape.
"I think (it's) just paying off."
German Anna-Lena Groenefeld, now out of the Top 100 but once inside the Top 50, upset 11th seed Daniela Hantuchova 6-4, 6-2. Poland's number 13 Agnes Szavay knocked out local Ukranian-American Gail Brodsky 7-5, 6-3.
Italian 16th seed Flavia Pennetta beat Greek Stefanie Vogele 2-6, 6-2, 6-2.
Men's 13th seed Fernando Verdasco reached the second round over Russian Igor Kunitsyn, 6-3, 6-4, 6-1, leading compatriot Tommy Robredo, a winner against Germany's Mischa Zvereva 7-6 (7-4), 6-2, 6- 1.
2000 champion Marat Safin, elder brother of Dinara, scored a popular victory, once calling the tournament referee onto court in a pointless dispute on the way past Vince Spadea 3-6, 6-2, 6-3, 4-6, 6- 4.
Safin made his breakthrough as he crushed Pete Sampras in the final eight years ago, but has yet to fulfil his huge potential.
The Russian broke six times and overcame nearly 40 unforced errors for his win.
"It was tough to win it in five sets, it's not comfortable to play against Vince," he said. "He plays very fast and it was difficult in the windy conditions of today."
