Dubai Duty Free 2011: Jelena Jankovic battles into quarters
Serbian star and former World number one Jelena Jankovic staged an exceptional comeback to beat her opponent Kaia Kanepi in the on-going Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships 2011.
With the win, Jankovic has secured a quarterfinal spot for herself in the WTA Tour 500 series event held annually in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The match started in a poor fashion for Jankovic as she gave away her service game twice in the first set. Her opponent took complete advantage of her unforced errors as she gifted the first set to her 2-6.
The Serbian started the second set on a similar note as well, losing her very first service game but from there on, her fortunes changed completely. Despite being in a losing position, she turned the tables and led the second set by 4-2 before holding her
nerves to level the set score at one all.
Jankovic kept firing in the third and final set as well and completed a deserving 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 win.
“Overall, it was very interesting. I’m thrilled to win this kind of a battle. She was leading a set but I managed to win the second set. She was again leading in the third but I just kept fighting and fighting and I tried to stay positive and dig deep out
there,” said the Serbian after the match.
“To be honest, I’m just happy that I was able to come out as a winner, because I’ve lost to her quite a few times and been injured and been struggling. This win helps me,” she added.
The Estonian Kanepi had all the stats in her favour as she had a 3-1 head-to-head advantage against the Serb and had defeated her at the same tournament in 2010.
After she broke Jelena in the final set to lead 5-3 to serve for the match, Kanepi was heading towards another famous victory in the match. But as it turned out, she could not do well in the crucial game of the set and lost the match.
This is the first time Jankovic has managed to beat Kanepi on a hard court. Her previous win against the Estonian was recorded at the French Open in 2010.
Jankovic will now face the Australian Samantha Stosur in the quarterfinal who has not dropped a set in her opening two matches. The Serbian will have to display the same determination, fighting spirit and grit if she wants to emerge victorious from this
encounter.
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