Dubai, UAE  - Ana Ivanovic got off to a winning start under new coach Craig Kardon, reaching the second round in a stroll at the Barclays Championships on Monday.

The French Open winner only teamed with the American a week or so ago in hopes of stopping her slide after winning Roland Garros but failing to back up that big win.

The Serb defeated Russian Alisa Kleybanova 7-5, 6-4 to take revenge for a third-round upset loss in the Australian Open, the last time Ivanovic played a WTA match.

Melbourne  - Ana Ivanovic recovered after a second-set threat from Italian Alberta Brianti to earn a 6-3, 6-2 victory Wednesday to reach the third round of the Australian Open.

The Serb fifth seed, who won the French Open last year and briefly touched number one, remains just outside the discussion for the top spot by the end of the season's first major.

But her performance gave hope that she is preparing to climb back up the standings.

Melbourne  - Ana Ivanovic led a trio of seeds to opening-day victories Monday at the Australian Open, with Serbia's former number one defeating German Julia Goerges 7-5, 6-3.

Fifth seed Ivanovic was followed into the second round by Russian number seven Vera Zvonareva, a 7-6 (7-2), 6-0 winner over Slovak Magdalena Rybarikova.

French ingenue Alize Cornet, the 15th seed, completed the early sweep against Mariya Koryttseva of the Ukraine 6-3, 6-4.

Sydney, Jan. 10 : Yugoslavian tennis star Ana Ivanovic has said that when she comes on court, her Scorpio instincts take over, and she becomes extremely competitive.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, 21-year-old Ivanovic, who is otherwise beautiful and good natured, besides being UNICEF''S national ambassador to Serbia, is extremely intense when on a tennis court.

"I think when I''m on the court I become with a killer instinct, a real Scorpio . When I''m very motivated and when I have to compete I change a little bit, I become very competitive," the paper quoted her, as saying.

Is the intense focus puzzling for her?

According to Ivanovic: "It''s very different."