Melbourne, Jan 25 (DPA) “Squeaky” Serb Ana Ivanovic says that the sharp sound of her shoes on the new Plexicushion court at the Australian Open is not meant to distract.
The fourth seed, who faces Russian former no.1 Maria Sharapova in Saturday’s final, took criticism from defeated semi-final opponent ninth seed Daniele Hantuchova of Slovakia for the apparently off-putting sound.
“I just tried to move my feet, to return the ball, so it really was not intentional,” said the Swiss-based Serb, the picture of good manners on and off the court.
“In the other matches I was doing exactly the same thing. It’s just the way these courts play. And if you listen to the guys, I think they’re doing the same thing.”
Part of Hantuchova’s annoyance might have stemmed from the dramatic Ivanovic reversal of a 6-2, 2-0 deficit in a comeback win. But the Slovak insists that the squeaking got on her nerves.
“That’s ridiculous. I was really surprised with that. I think it’s unfair,” Hantuchova said. “It’s a distraction to the server.”
Said Ivanovic: “I don’t pay attention to the squeaking my shoes make. There was nothing I could do, because if I want to move my feet to return a ball, this was the sound I was producing.”
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Hewitt hopes to rebuild through Davis Cup
Melbourne: Australia’s Lleyton Hewitt hopes to use next month’s Davis Cup playoff against Taiwan as a confidence boost after crashing out of the fourth round of the Australian Open.
The Aussie battler will have a few days of rest in the reservoir and is keen to help his nation back into the elite round of the worldwide team competition.
“Yeah, I’ll be playing,” Hewitt said, a fact which he reiterated after his fourth-round loss to Novak Djokovic.
Joining Hewitt on the squad will be Chris Guccione, Paul Hanley and newcomers Alun Jones and Joe Sirianni. Taiwan’s best is number 112 Yen-Hsun Lu, who won a match at the Hopman Cup but lost in the first round at the Australian Open.
“There are no easy matches in Davis Cup these days, no matter how far in relegation you go,” Hewitt said. “So we’re going to have to pick the right team and hopefully get through that one.”