Jankovic keeps US Open hopes alive with hard-fought win
Sunday, 31 Aug 2008 21:03
Jelena Jankovic has reached the semi-finals at the French Open, US Open, and Wimbledon.
World number two Jelena Jankovic battled back from a set down to beat Caroline Wozniacki 3-6 6-2 6-1 to reach the US Open quarter-finals.
The Serb, a former semi-finalist at Flushing Meadows, looked to be heading for an upset after being broken early to lose the opening set.
But the 23-year-old found her form in the second set to break Dane Wozniacki twice to force a decider.
And Jankovic, who could be crowned the new world number one after the tournament, broke a tiring Wozniacki three times in the final set to clinch victory.
She will clash with either Sybille Bammer or former Wimbledon finalist Marion Batoli in the last eight in New York.
Jankovic admitted she made a sluggish start with her serve.
"I had to really play a lot more aggressive because it's quite windy and she was a lot more solid than I was in the first set," Jankovic said.
"I took a bit more control in the second and cruised through in the third so I am really pleased."
Meanwhile, Wozniacki said she was disappointed at not continuing her cavalier approach from the first set.
"I played my own game. I played aggressive,” the 18-year-old said.
"The second set, I don't know. I think I just got a bit more defensive."
In her second-round match, Jankovic also needed three sets to get past unheralded Sofia Arvidsson of Sweden.