Ana Ivanovic admits her tight quarter-final defeat to Serena Williams in Cincinnati was a “missed opportunity” but the ex-world No1 is pleased with her US Open build-up.

Ivanovic was on her way to victory over Williams as she led the American top seed by a set and a break and was also up 2-0 in the final set, but dropped the last six games to surrender to Williams 3-6, 6-4, 6-2. 

The Serb, ranked No9 in the world, was trying to hand Williams just her third defeat of the year but the world No1 escaped – like she has so many times in 2015 – to register her 42nd-consecutive victory on American hard courts. 

Ivanovic, who made the quarter-finals in Toronto the previous week, will not be playing another tournament prior to the US Open, which kicks off on August 31.

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“Definitely a missed opportunity but with Serena it’s so hard to get over the line – she’s obviously one of the best players in history,” said Ivanovic.

“On the positive side, I think I played some really good tennis out there today and fought until the end. 

“I am pleased that I’ve reached two quarter-finals in two weeks and I can see that some of the things I worked on last month are being implemented on the court in matches.  I’m feeling quite optimistic about the US Open.”