WTA Linz: Ana Ivanovic Advances to First Final This Season

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2009 Indian Wells. 

That was the last time that former world No. 1 Ana Ivanovic was in the final of a tournament. 

And yet, after struggling mightily virtually since she won her only major title at the 2008 French Open, she has somehow clawed her way back to the top. 

Ivanovic has been more than impressive at the Generali Ladies Linz. She has yet to drop a set in the tournament, and her semifinal match was a breeze. It only took her 70 minutes to defeat the Italian veteran Roberta Vinci 6-3, 7-5

Interestingly enough, the last title that she won was in Linz in 2008. 

Following her victory, Ivanovic, who is currently ranked 29th in the world, said: "It's great to be back in the final. I am really excited about it and I have been playing some good tennis lately. I am putting a lot of hard work in, so I really feel that I deserve that spot."

Ivanovic's opponent in the final will be Patty Schnyder of Switzerland. 

Schnyder narrowly escaped defeat in the her semifinal match against Andrea Petkovic. She was down 15-40 while serving at 4-5 in the final set. She went on to not only win that game, but she broke Petkovic in the next game to take the lead. Schnyder then served for the match, which she won 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 in two hours and 15 minutes. 

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Head-to-head, Ivanovic and Schnyder are tied with four victories apiece, but the Serb has won the four most recent matches.