World number two Jankovic books place in US Open final
Jelena Jankovic ends a run of four straight defeats in grand slam semi-finals.
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Friday, 05, Sep 2008 10:35
Jelena Jankovic is through to her first grand slam final after beating Elena Dementieva 6-4 6-4 in the US Open.
The world number two edged a topsy-turvy encounter after coming from behind in each set to reach tomorrow’s final at Flushing Meadows.
Olympic champion Dementieva made an explosive start and broke Jankovic in the opening game.
The Russian looked to be cruising to the first set with a 4-3 lead but Serbian Jankovic mounted a stunning comeback.
Jankovic, 23, broke to level and then took the next two games to clinch the opening set, after winning a marathon rally on set point.
The second set was another tense affair with world number six Dementieva gaining an early break when Jankovic double-faulted.
But Dementieva did not capitalise on her advantage and was broken in game six when she hit a backhand long.
Jankovic served to love in game nine to crank up the pressure on Dementieva to serve to stay in the tournament. And the Russian crumbled, gifting Jankovic three match points with two poor shots and a double fault.
Jankovic booked her place in tomorrow’s final when Dementieva sent another forehand long.