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No. 188 Coin Stuns Top Seed Ivanovic In Second Round

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By BEN WALKER

The Associated Press

Published: August 29, 2008

Updated: 08/29/2008 01:56 am

NEW YORK - Even for the mathematics major from Clemson, it didn't add up: How could someone who recently struggled so badly that she wanted to quit tennis stay on the court with the No. 1 player in the world?
Ana Ivanovic probably wondered the same thing.

In one of the biggest upsets in the sport's history, the top-seeded Ivanovic was ousted from the U.S. Open, stunned by 188th-ranked Julie Coin 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 in the second round Thursday.

"Obviously, if you would ask me at the moment if I'm playing like a No. 1, probably not," Ivanovic said. "It's very frustrating, because I know I can play so much better."

Never before in the Open era that began in 1968 had the No. 1 woman lost this early in the tournament. Plus, all the favorites had been breezing by at Flushing Meadows.

The French Open champion seemed to be rallying in the third set when Coin suddenly recovered to win 10 straight points. The 25-year-old French math whiz screamed when Ivanovic's last shot sailed out, then hopped for joy and hit an extra ball high into the stands.

"I don't know how I'm going to sleep tonight," Coin said. "I don't know when I will realize everything."

Even after Ivanovic struggled in the first round with an injured right thumb that limited her practice time, there was no way to see this coming.

Coin spent much of the year playing in minor-league events and nearly got knocked out of the qualifying event to make it into the Open.

Ivanovic quickly gathered her gear and left the court. She smiled after the match and did not appear upset by the upset.

"I think what I experienced so far is, girls, when they play against higher-ranked players, they have nothing to lose, so they go for their shots," she said. "Many times they play matches of their life."

Still, Coin couldn't have figured on it. Asked whether she'd thought such a win was possible, she gave a direct, honest answer.

"No," she said.

And when did she believe it might happen?

"I guess when it was over," she told the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium, drawing a huge ovation.

If there was any suspicion that Coin was wavering, she steadied herself by rallying in the third set. It was Ivanovic who looked jittery, hitting shots into the net or out.

Tentative at times, Ivanovic seemed to regain her edge midway through third set. She led 40-0 in the fifth game and was about to break Coin's serve when the momentum shifted.

Coin came back to hold, starting her decisive streak. She won on her third match point - quite a result for someone playing in her first tour-level event.

Venus Williams and sister Serena won earlier in the day. Tampa's James Blake, David Ferrer, Andy Murray and Dinara Safina joined them in moving into the third round.

Blake advanced when Steve Darcis pulled out because of a bad lower back.

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