Former world No.1 Ana Ivanovic is confident that some subtle changes she has made to her game recently will help her return to the top.
The 24-year-old has endured three lean years since making the Australian Open final in 2008 and then winning the French Open several months later, which crowned her as the world's premier player.
She has reached the fourth round just four times in 14 Grand Slams since while at the same time adding four other secondary titles to her haul, winning in Linz in 2008 and 2010 and going back-to-back in Bali in 2010 and '11.
All in all though the pickings have been slim, particularly at the Australian Open where she has lost in the third, second and opening rounds respectively in the three previous years.
But having conceded only eight games so far in beating both Spaniard Lourdes Dominguez Lino and Dutchwoman Michaella Krajicek in straight sets, the Serbian No.21 seed can feel her confidence building with each outing.
"Yeah, I enjoy playing here," Ivanovic said on Thursday after setting up a third-round duel with American Vania King, who ousted Russian 15th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
"Last couple matches have been really lots of fun, it's been good to also apply things I worked on in off-season."
"There are no easy matches (and the) next round again is going to be tough one but I feel like I'm getting into tournament."
"It's nice to get some wins and be in contention to play against top players."
Having practiced against men during the off-season, Ivanovic was ready for the big serve of Krajiceck, which she battled to read at times but jumped all over any time she got a look at a second serve.
But just over six months after linking up with current coach Nigel Sears, Ivanovic can see the results of the changes she has made and is optimistic they have her on track to return to the upper echelons of the WTA Tour.
"When I'm out there I really know what I have to do and I stay with it," she added.
"I'm more persistent and confident in that because I know that's what's going to give me results and help me to play better."
"It might not work on a given day and I try to adjust (but) in the long run, in the big picture, that's what's going to get me back to the top."
"I really tried to pick the right ball to come in and be aggressive."
"That's something I worked a lot also on my spin, on my forehand, so I don't play as flat as I used to."
"It's working really well (and) I can sort of push opponents around the court."