New York: Ana Ivanovic crashed out of the US Open first round on Monday, losing 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 to Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkova and giving Serena Williams a helping hand in her Grand Slam history bid.


Ana Ivanovic and Dominika Cibulkova celebrates match point against Ana Ivanovic. Pics/AFP 

Serbian seventh seed Ivanovic, a quarter-finalist in 2012, was in Williams' half of the draw, a section which had already lost Maria Sharapova through injury even before the tournament started.