Jankovic wins first title of the year
Jankovic was victorious in Marbella after a poor start to the season
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Monday, 13, Apr 2009 11:57
Jelena Jankovic has won her first WTA Tour title of the year after beating Carla Suarez Navarro 6-3 3-6 6-3 in the Marbella Open.
The former world number one has slipped to fourth in the rankings after a wretched start to 2009.
Jankovic lost in her opening matches in Indian Wells and Miami over the last month but held her nerve in a deciding set against Suarez Navarro to win in Marbella.
The Serbian cruised through the first set, breaking Suarez Navarro twice to take it 6-3.
But the world number 34 – playing in her first tour final – fought back superbly in the second set, buoyed by a partisan crowd.
The Spaniard flashed a number of winners past Jankovic and a solitary break of serve was enough to get her back on level terms at one set all.
Jankovic showed her class by breaking Suarez Navarro twice in the deciding set to go ahead 5-1.
The Spaniard managed to get a break back to fend off defeat briefly but Jankovic was eventually able to serve out for her tenth career title on the WTA Tour.
Having struggled on the American hard courts Jankovic hopes the victory signals a change in fortune for her.
"I know I haven't been playing well the last three months but this win has given me back the confidence I need," Jankovic said.
It's my tenth title, and just the beginning of the clay season, so I hope to continue in this way. The tournament has been wonderful here. I really hope to come back next year."