Melbourne: Serbian glamour girl and 20th seed Ana Ivanovic overcame some late nerves to advance to the second round of the Australian Open on Tuesday as she works to get her career back on track.
The former world number one appeared set for the easiest of wins when she led 6-2, 5-1 with two breaks, but her serve dramatically deserted her with the match within reach.
American Shenay Perry, who struggled with her own serve, broke back and then had four break points to get the second set back on serve at 5-4.
But she could not capitalise and it was a relieved Ivanovic that finally secured a 6-2, 6-3 win after 67 minutes.
Beaten in the final here by Russian Maria Sharapova in 2008, the 22-year-old is looking to put a disappointing 2009 behind her, having battled injuries and indifferent form.
She slipped down the rankings to be outside the top 20 for the first time in five years, finishing the season at 22.
Her best performances were reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon and the French Open.
Ivanovic will face either Argentinian Gisela Dulko or Slovak Republic qualifier Zuzana Kucova in the second round.