Ivanovic dreams of continued success after Masters title

The 20-year-old Serb helped her nation lift a double in the Californian desert at the weekend as she and compatriot Novak Djokovic claimed the Indian Wells singles titles - a first-ever achievement for the small European nation.

 With an exit in her first match a year ago in South Florida, it's all to play for in the mind of Basle-based Ivanovic, still second in the world behind Justine Henin.

 "Obviously I have big goal, to make it one more step in the rankings and to become number one," said the winner of six career trophies. "It's very tough competition, and I think there are many, many players that are really close to achieving that.

 "But I don't want to get overexcited about it. I'm really enjoying my time and I'm playing some good tennis and I worked hard for it. The hard work is paying off."

   A quarter-finalist in her 2005 debut in Crandon Park on Key Biscayne near Miami, Ivanovic has seen her performances at the event drop, to the fourth round in 2006 and last year's second-round disappointment.

 She now believes that after two Grand Slam finals - Paris 2007 and Melbourne in January - she is ready to make a move upwards at major events.

 The Indian Wells success could serve as a starting point.

 "Now slowly I believe that I can do it, competing against top players and beating them regularly. Winning a big tournament is something that gives you confidence, which is necessary in order to win a Grand Slam.

 "Right now, I think I'm in a good way."

   Ivanovic credits her surge to last season, when she won three titles on three different surfaces.

 "I had great tournaments winning Berlin with a French Open final and Wimbledon semi-final. It all happened quite fast. It was hard for me to absorb it all at the same time. "In the off-season I had time to think about the previous season and to figure out areas I have to work to improve.

 "That was when I realised that I'm actually a top player, and I can achieve even more. Coming into this season, I felt more confident and also more determined to do it."

   The smiling Serb will take her time in gearing up again for Miami, where she will be seeded second behind Henin.

 "I want to enjoy this victory and have a couple of days relaxing and maybe just light practise. The good thing is I have almost a week to recover for the next tournament.

 "It's my goal to continue strong next week. I just want to still enjoy it on the court and not put too much pressure on myself."

By Bill Scott, dpa