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Ana Ivanovic crashes out to Lucie Hradecka

Fifth seed Ana Ivanovic is out of the Australian Open after slipping to a three-set defeat to world number 142 Lucie Hradecka.

Ana Ivanovic has been dumped out of the Australian Open after falling to a three-set defeat to Lucie Hradecka.

Lucie Hradecka plays a shot during her first-round match against Ana Ivanovic on day one of the Australian Open on January 19, 2015© Getty Images

The fifth seed wasted little time in winning the opening set but Hradecka, a two-time Grand Slam doubles winner, fought back to win 1-6 6-3 6-2.

137 places separate the two players in the world rankings and the gulf in class was clear in the first set as Ivanovic made light work of the Czech player's serve to wrap up the opener in 21 minutes.

However, Hradecka found some form at the start of the second as she raced into a 3-0 lead, but Ivanovic remained composed to quickly bring the score level.

That composure deserted her in the eighth game, though, as she registered her seventh double fault to gift the break back to Hradecka, who held serve to take the match into a decider.

The 29-year-old, who has reached the second round in the past three years, was growing in confidence and with Ivanovic's game falling apart, she nicked an early break to keep the Serbian hitter on the back foot.

Another break of serve strengthened Hradecka's lead before she confidently served out the match to earn a standing ovation from the crowd inside the Rod Laver Arena.

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Angelique Kerber of Germany hits a return shot in her match with Lucie Hradecka in the second round of the Australian Open tennis championship on January 16, 2013
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