Serena, Ivanovic: Comeback vs. comeback

As Serena Williams' comeback at the U.S. Open builds momentum, so too does the comeback of Ana Ivanovic.

Injury and illness forced Williams out of the game for eight months until a successful return this summer with two titles. Ivanovic hasn't been out of the game. Instead, she's been out of the mix, a talented player once No. 1 in the world who has struggled to find that early promise.

Someone's comeback will continue and the other's will end when Williams and Ivanovic meet in the fourth round Monday afternoon at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

"It is a tough draw to play her in the fourth round," said Ivanovic, who lost to Williams in two previous meetings. "She's the favorite, that's for sure. But I am playing good and I enjoy competing again. I know I have to give her a tough match. She beat me in the past, but maybe I can go for revenge [Monday]."

Williams was much more casual about the prospect of playing Ivanovic. "Well, she's playing well," she said. "She's incredibly fit right now. She was No. 1, right, at one point, so . . . "

For so long, Ivanovic has struggled to find the confidence that propelled her to victory in the 2008 French Open and the subsequent No. 1 ranking. While the usual injuries and aches and pains of the game have impacted her, a loss of confidence and a loss of joy have been the culprits. She's only 23 but has gone through a slew of coaches, each one imparting advice on technique and strategy, none with any particular success in the majors over the past two years.

This summer, she employed Nigel Sears, the head coach of women for England's Lawn Tennis Association and the father of Andy Murray's girlfriend. "I think our relationship is really good," she said. "I can pick up things fast from his coaching . . . If there is something I don't like or I don't feel good about, I'll tell him and he will adjust or approach it differently. That's very, very important."

This hasn't been a good season for Ivanovic. Her No. 19 ranking is a bit misleading, considering that is based on points she built up last fall starting with a fourth-round finish at the Open and winning two small tournaments. She is defending all these points now, and if she doesn't, her ranking will fall precipitously.

She hasn't reached a final in 2011 and was beaten in the first round at the Australian and French Opens and the third round at Wimbledon. Her fourth-round finish here in 2010 was her best in a major in two years. Still, she seems pleased with Sears' advice. "We have big goals, and we look at the big picture," she said. "But the results are already there, which is encouraging."

Ivanovic looked radiant in defeating Sloan Stephens at Ashe Stadium on Saturday night, a glow enhanced not just by winning but by playing well. She seemed genuinely pleased to be facing Williams on the big stage. "From this moment on, it's preparation for this match," she said. "Tomorrow, I am going to practice and talk to Nigel about tactics and stuff. But I'm really, really excited. Just happy to have the opportunity to be in the second week. You know, it's been a while."

Samantha Stosur beat Maria Kirilenko, 6-2, 6-7 (15), 6-3, in a match that included the longest tiebreak in women's Grand Slam history. In winning the 32-point tiebreak, Kirilenko won three video review challenges, two on match points. No. 2 seed Vera Zvonareva beat Sabine Lisicki, 6-2, 6-3.