Jankovic fires warning to rivals with victory in Italy
Sunday, 18 May 2008 17:57
Jelena Jankovic wins her first WTA title this year
Jelena Jankovic has retained the Italian Open after beating teenager qualifier Alize Cornet 6-2 6-2.
In a scrappy opening set, the Serbian fourth seed raced into a 5-1 lead by virtue of making fewer unforced errors than her French opponent.
Cornet pulled a break back with the help of a netcord winner that nearly smacked into Jankovic's head.
But the 18-year-old failed to hold her serve in the following game and conceded the first set after whacking a forehand into the net.
The second set followed a similar pattern with Jankovic dominating the crucial points to break Cornet three times, converting seven out of nine break points in the match.
Cornet was so dismayed that she burst into tears during a pause for Jankovic to have treatment on her right shoulder.
Jankovic sealed victory in just under 90 minutes to boost her preparations for the French Open which starts a week tomorrow.
It is the first time the Serb has defended a title in her career and is her first WTA tournament victory since winning the DFS Classic in Birmingham last June.
The 23-year-old received a walkover into today's final when new world number one seed Maria Sharapova was unable to play due to a left calf strain.