[January 03, 2014](Reuters) — Serbia's Ana Ivanovic
overcame a second set resistance to beat Belgium's Kirsten Flipkens on
Friday and set up an Auckland Classic final against former world number
one Venus Williams.
The tall American was given a walkover to the final after her
compatriot, fifth seed Jamie Hampton, was forced to withdraw from
their semi-final after suffering a right hip injury in practice.
The Australian Open, the first major of the year, starts in
Melbourne on January 13.
Ivanovic, also a former world number one and 2008 French Open
champion, stormed through the opening set against third seed
Flipkens without dropping a game but the Belgian took her all the
way in the second.
The 26-year-old prevailed in the tiebreaker, though, to win through
60 76(3) and inch closer to a first WTA title since winning in Bali
at the end of 2011.
But 33-year-old Williams, a seven-times grand slam singles
champion, holds an eight-one record over Ivanovic in past
matches and will be aiming for her 45th WTA singles title and
first since Luxembourg at the end of 2012.
(Writing by Patrick Johnston; editing by Amlan Chakraborty)
