Ana Ivanovic safely through at Miami Open

Ana Ivanovic progressed to the third round of the Miami Open this evening courtesy of a hard-fought victory over Irina Falconi.

The fifth seed enjoyed the luxury of a first-round bye, and was tested on her opening outing at the tournament before eventually prevailing 7-5 5(4)-7 6-3.

Breaks were exchanged at the start of a first set which went Ivanovic's way after a crucial second break in game 12.

Each player had to save two break points in their opening service game as the tone was set for a highly competitive second set.

Ivanovic seemed poised to record a routine win when she broke Falconi on her way to taking a 5-2 lead, but the world number 100 won four of the next five games and saved three match points in the process as she forced a tie-break.

The Ecuadorian-born American native took her momentum into the breaker and levelled the match at the third attempt, but Ivanovic responded strongly to secure a break early on in the third.

Falconi refused to roll over as she saved four break points to stay in the contest at 2-3, but the Ivanovic pressure told with successive breaks which helped her wrap up victory in just over two-and-a-half hours.