Ana Ivanovic is savouring the special taste of a drought-breaking victory after holding off Venus Williams to claim the ASB Classic tennis title.
Ivanovic, the world No.16 and second seed in Auckland, won 6-2 5-7 6-4 to collect her 12th title and her first since Bali more than two years ago.
"Every victory is special, but this one is even more special because it's been a while since I won a tournament," she said
"To make it happen, and especially in a final like this against such a good player, is obviously very thrilling."
Apart from the trophy, Ivanovic left with an All Blacks Sevens rugby jersey presented to her by Test first five-eighth Dan Carter.
The former French Open champion, who will spend next week in training and recovery mode, said the Classic had given her the best preparation she could have asked for ahead of the Australian Open.
The 26-year-old from Serbia didn't drop a set on the way to the final and it looked like her run would continue during the early stages of Saturday's contest.
Williams, a seven-time grand slam champion who has fought health issues in recent years and is now ranked 47, struggled in the opening set with her famed heavy serve and with unforced errors.
The American's fight-back began as she faced championship point when serving at 3-5 down in the second set.
After holding, she broke Ivanovic twice to tie the contest at a set each.
But the 33-year-old Williams dropped her serve in the opening game of the deciding set to fall behind again.
Both players produced some big shot-making but Ivanovic, who had won only once against Williams in nine previous attempts, didn't relinquish her advantage and served out the match after 2hr 19min.
Williams said her first-serve percentage and her errors would be two areas to work on as she continues her Australian Open preparations in Hobart next week.
"Today for me was all about fighting," she said.
"I didn't feel I was playing my best, per se, but I fought as hard as a I could, no matter what the score was.
"I just ran into a better player today."
Like Ivanovic, Williams said she had enjoyed her first appearance in the Classic, and like Ivanovic, she said she wanted to return next year.
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