Bondarenko stuns Ivanovic to reach Stuttgart last eight

STUTTGART, Germany, Oct 4 (Reuters) Ukrainian qualifier Kateryna Bondarenko upset fifth seed Ana Ivanovic 6-2 1-6 6-3 today to reach the quarter-finals of the Stuttgart Grand Prix.

The Serb lost her first service game and, although she broke back, never looked comfortable against Bondarenko's heavy returns.

The Ukrainian reeled off four games from 2-2 to clinch the first set before Ivanovic upped her game in the second.

The deciding set stayed with serve until game eight when Ivanovic smacked an attempted forehand winner into the net.

Bondarenko made two bad mistakes on her first couple of match-points but eventually progressed after the latest in a long series of unforced errors from the Serb.

Holder Nadia Petrova, seeded seven, also beat Dutch qualifier Michaella Krajicek 6-1 6-3.

REUTERS BJR KP2018