BERLIN: :Defending champion Ana Ivanovic overcame a slow start Wednesday to beat Uzbek qualifier Akgul Amanmuradova 7-6 (0), 6-2 and reach the round of 16 at the German Open.

The second-ranked Serb couldn’t break her opponent’s serve in the first set, but pulled it out in the tiebreaker with precise drop shots and forehand winners that hit the line. Ivanovic took control in the second set against tall Amanmuradova, who only entered the main draw when former No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo pulled out injured.

“This was the tournament that made me. I found my game here,” the 20-year-old Ivanovic said of last year’s win. “Ever since then I have the confidence to believe I can be a top player.”

Top-ranked Justine Henin also advanced, beating Chan Yung-jan of Taiwan 6-0, 6-2. The Belgian returned from a break looking to regain confidence after a 6-2, 6-0 pounding by Serena Williams in her last match — the most one-sided loss for a No. 1 player in nine years.

Fourth-seeded Jelena Jankovic beat Peng Shuai of China 7-5, 6-0, No. 3 Svetlana Kuznetsova defeated Catalina Castano 6-3, 6-2, and No. 11 Agnieszksa Radwanska rolled past Angelika Bachmann 6-1, 6-1.

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