Gunning for her first title of the season, Word No.12 Ana Ivanovic of Serbia will take on World No. 19 Varvara Lepchenko of USA in a second-round encounter of the 2012 China Open on Monday. Ivanovic eased past another American C. McHale 6-3 6-2 in the first round. On the other hand, in-form Varvara Lepchenko beat T. Pironkova 7-5 6-4 in the opening round to set up this clash with the former World No. 1.

Currently ranked as World No. 12 in the WTA Rankings, Ana Ivanovic has an ordinary 31-17 win-loss record for the season. She had to miss out a few tournaments this season due to injuries. She is bidding for her 12th career title. Earlier this season, she finished in the fourth-round at Aussie Open and also reached the semis at Indian Wells. She failed to get past Errani at Roland Garros third-round and then finished in the fourth-round at Wimbledon.

Varvara Lepchenko has made a fine progress in her rankings this season. She reached the quarter-finals in Madrid and then finished in the fourth-round at Roland Garros. With a fine form, she also reached the third-rounds at Wimbledon and US Open. She has an improved 38-24 win-loss record for the season.

This will be a first meeting between these two and Ivanovic appears favorite.