Jankovic Sends Serena Williams Packing

Jankovic will next face either World No. 1 Justine Henin or No. 5 seed Maria Sharapova.

Women's No. 3 seed Jelena Jankovic ousted Australian Open defending champion Serena Williams in two tight sets. Photo courtesy: australianopen.com

MELBOURNE, Australia - Women's No. 3 seed Jelena Jankovic has emerged victorious in an absorbing quarter final at Australian Open 2008, ousting defending champion Serena Williams in two tight sets.

The two players engaged in a brilliant slugfest that captivated the large crowd at Rod Laver Arena, before Jankovic came through in one hour and 39 minutes to win 6-3 6-4.

The No. 7 seed Williams looked sluggish early, serving well below full speed and moving lethargically around the court.

Despite this she still managed to forge ahead 2-0, but Jankovic broke back twice to claim four games in a row.

Games continually went to deuce from this point, but it was the Serbian who came out on top in the majority, going on to take the first set 6-3.

In the second set, Jankovic scored the early break only for Williams immediately break back. Both players called for the trainer at the change of ends after the fifth game, but it didn't seem to hamper the quality of the tennis - in fact, the standard lifted from that point forth.

A torrid sixth game saw Williams survive a bundle of break points to level at 3-3.

After holding serve the next game, Jankovic gained a decisive break in the eighth game to go ahead 5-3 after a brilliant backhand down-the-line set up an easy winner.

But, as has become customary at the Australian Open in years gone by, Williams stepped up and broke back when Jankovic served for the match.

It seemed scores would be levelled at 5-5 when the No.7 seed cruised to 40-15 on serve. But Jankovic showed great resolve to bring the game back to deuce.

An unexpected double-fault from Williams gave Jankovic a match point, which she duly converted to move into the semifinals.

She will next face either World No. 1 Justine Henin or No. 5 seed Maria Sharapova.

Story by: Matthew Trollope

Courtesy: australianopen.com

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