Williams Upsets No. 3 Jankovic in Quarterfinal Clash

Williams will face top-seed Justine Henin in the semifinals.

Venus Williams plays against Jelena Jankovic in a Women's Singles Quarter Finals match at the 2007 US Open. Photo courtesy: usopen.org

NEW YORK - No. 12-seed American Venus Williams served an ace to open her quarterfinal match against No. 3-seed Jelena Jankovic of Serbia. But her ultimate win, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6, would not come easily.

From that first point, it was clear that this would be a classic matchup.

Early net play had the night crowd in Arthur Ashe Stadium cheering on both players.

When Jankovic broke Williams in that first game, it was quickly apparent that this would be a fiercely competitive match from beginning to end.

Early in the match, Williams called for a challenge, which was ruled in her favor. The point was replayed and she won it – and the game.

The 22-year-old Jankovic had her own cheering section in the upper decks, but it was difficult to tell if the crowd had a clear favorite as they appreciated each of the many exhilarating points.

Both the Williams and Jankovic player-guest boxes were full of friends and family, clearly appreciating the level of tennis from both players in this quarterfinal classic.

After the match, Jankovic said, "I was fighting and trying to do the best I could. A few points here and there decided the match tonight."

While Williams, 27, seemed focused and energetic, she had trouble controlling and placing her points, racking up 18 unforced errors in the first set alone.

However, with Jankovic one point away from breaking her for a second time, the two exchanged rapid-fire shots, with Williams winning the point. The stadium erupted, and even Jankovic applauded her opponent.

Throughout the match, Jankovic seemed to be looser and enjoying herself, while Williams seemed much less animated and more business-like.

With Jankovic up 5-4 and on serve, both women seemed to step it up another notch with several almost acrobatic shots. But, within moments, the Serbian had taken the first set.

Jankovic started the second set with another break, as Williams badly misjudged a ball, letting it go over her head as it bounced well in.

Finally however, Williams righted herself and steamrolled past her opponent, taking the second set 6-1.

In the third, the women remained on serve, and while the points were a bit more sedate, the energy was as high or higher. The two battled back and forth, neither woman willing to give an inch.

At five-all in the third, the intensity level rose further, and with Jankovic up 6-5 and Williams on serve, and everyone in attendance on the edge of their seats, they played to deuce twice before Williams took the game. The match now headed into a tiebreak.

While Williams had been troubled by unforced errors throughout the match, it was Jankovic’s turn in the tiebreak, continually hitting long or into the net. Up 6-4 and serving for the match, Williams smashed a cross-court winner to end the contest.

"Winning a match like this is obviously good, especially in a Grand Slam. And for it to go to the wire like that--it's great to win," said Williams.

Next, Williams will face top-seed Justine Henin in the semifinals.

Story by: Lisa Zimmerman

Courtesy: usopen.org

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