Francesca Schiavone defeats Jelena Jankovic in the fourth round – 2011 French Open
Defending champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy is through to the quarterfinal, following her solid 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 victory over the tenth seed Jelena Jankovic of Serbia. The veteran made her twelfth consecutive appearance at the
tournament, keeping her hope of a second major title alive.
Jankovic had been playing good tennis coming into her fourth round match against Bethanie Mattek-Sands of United States, but the Serbian pro lacked the firepower to stay with the defending champion and looked totally exhausted
at the end. Jankovic had plenty of break chances in the match, but she unfortunately could not convert while Schiavone went about the business of racking up another victory to her container.
Despite losing the second set, the world number five kept herself calm and worked her way though pressure in the match to earn a hard-fought win against the Serbian. The Italian ace managed to work angled forehands for a timely
break of serve during the process. The Italian served 64 percent of first serve, smashed six aces and smacked 33 winners to win the match in two hours and thirty eight minutes.
Jankovic displayed great character in the second set and managed to tie the lead at one set apiece, but then lost it to ill-timed unforced errors in the third set. Schiavone came back in the match with more power and piercing forehands
to drag the Serbian all around the court. The world number five increased the pace of her strokes and came up with her massive forehands to close out the match in 258 minutes.
She served 57 percent of her first serves in court and clobbered 12 winners to take command of the match. By contrast, her opponent hanged back in every field and lost the match with a difference of four points in total.
Up next for the defending champion is Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia. Both players are set for a showdown at the Stade Roland Garros on Monday with Schiavone holding a lifetime 2-1 edge against the Russian.
Pavlyuchenkova is absolutely on a roll this fortnight. The 19-year-old has come out of almost nowhere, as a quarterfinal appearance in Madrid Masters had been her notable result since April. Nevertheless, she has taken care of
Vera Zvonareva, Nuria Llagostera Vives, Mona Barthel and Yaroslava Shvedova all the way through to the fourth round. The Russian has made it clear she owns the power game that can give Schiavone some trouble as well.
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