Sorana CIRSTEA (ROU) plays a forehand in her singles match against Petra KVITOVA (CZE) on Margaret Court Arena during Day 3 of the Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Wednesday, February 10, 2021. MANDATORY PHOTO CREDIT Tennis Australia/ JONATHAN DI MAGGIO
By Bill Scott
Sorana Cirstea gratefully took advice from Novak Djokovic’s coach Goran Ivanisevic, with the Romanian WTA player using the fresh insight to advance to the French Open second round on Sunday.
The No. 27 was able to call upon the colourful former Wimbledon champion who is currently guiding the men’s No. 1.
Ivanisevic was free with some tips and analysis, perhaps sparking Cirstea to notch the first win of the current clay fortnight as she finished off a 6-3, 6-3 defeat of German Tatiana Maria before lunch on opening day..
“He came to one of my practices two days ago,” she explained. “Basically, I just asked for his help and I was lucky enough to get an hour of his time.
“I talked with him a little bit about what’s going through my head and just tennis. It was a very, very pleasant hour.”
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Ivanisevic then showed up for the 26th seed’s first-round match: “I was very surprised to see him because I know he’s very busy with Novak,” Cirstea said.
“He was very, very kind to be there and I was happy to see him there.’
“He’s just been giving me a few tips and tricks from a Grand Slam champion, and as a coach of No. 1, and someone that has so much experience. I’m very grateful and very lucky to have the chance to spend that hour on court with him.”
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