Jelena Jankovic upset at the Rogers Cup
There was a major upset at the Rogers Cup in Montreal on Tuesday night as top-seed Jelena Jankovic lost her second-round match against Czech qualifier Iveta Benesova 7-6 (3), 6-3. Jankovic is currently ranked third in the world and received a bye in the first round. It was her first match of the tournament taking place at centre court at Uniprix Stadium.
Jankovic had been suffering from an ankle injury prior to the tournament playing only four matches in her last three tournaments. However, she admitted that she was completely recovered from the injury, but didn’t feel her game matched her current ranking.
"I didn't really feel like a top-5 player out there," said Jankovic, who has never won the Rogers Cup. "My game hasn't been at the top level for the last couple of tournaments."
She also admitted that she wished she would have been able to get in a few more matches heading into the U.S. Open. "I really wanted to play matches here, and at the last tournament, but I didn't do that and now I haven't played many matches before the U.S. Open," Jankovic said. "So I'll just try my best over there, and hopefully I'll be better."
Jankovic has had success at the U.S. open in the past making it to the final in 2008 where she lost to American Serena Williams. It is the only Grand Slam event where the talented Serb has reached the final. She is now hoping that she can find her game in time for the U.S. Open, which is set to begin on August 30.
Benesova is currently ranked No. 75 in world and had to qualify to get into the Rogers Cup. She had to win three games over the weekend to qualify and has now won her fifth singles match in the last five days including her first round match and her victory over Jankovic on Tuesday.
"I think it was good for me because I haven't had a very good season this year," said Benesova, who improved her 2010 singles record to 17-18. "It was good for my confidence."
This was Benesova's biggest win over her 12-year pro career. Her previous best victory was at the Australian Open in 2006 in the second round where she defeated Mary Pierce, who was ranked No. 5 at the time.
"This is definitely the biggest victory of my career, I'm just very excited," said Benesova, 27. "It was a great match for me."
Jankovic looked to be in control of the match early with a 5-3 lead and a chance to serve out the first set. However, Benesova was able to break and eventually forced a tiebreak and winning 7-3.
In the second set it was Benesova who built up a 5-3 lead with a chance to serve out the match. Jankovic however, could not turn the tables and was not able to break as Benesova was able to serve out the match in front of a roaring crowd.
"I was surprised," Benesova said of the crowd support she received throughout the match. "The crowd here has a very good knowledge of tennis and I loved playing in front of this crowd. I loved every minute of it."
Advancing to the third round, Benesova will now await the winner of the second round match between Marion Bartoli and Japan's Kimiko Date-Krumm.
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