Fed Cup 2009 - World Group II: Serbia outclass Japan

Eurosport - Mon, 09 Feb 18:46:00 2009

Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic led Serbia to a sparkling 4-1 victory in their Fed Cup clash with Japan in Belgrade.

TENNIS Serbia Fed Cup Ivanovic Jankovic - 0

Former world number one Jelena Jankovic gave her team an unassailable 3-0 lead with her 6-3 6-2 win over veteran Ai Sugiyama, guaranteeing Serbia a place in the World Group play-offs for the first time.

Ana Ivanovic then beat Ayumi Morita 6-1 6-2 before the Japanese won the dead rubber doubles match to leave the overall scoreline at 4-1.

Jankovic admitted to nerves in front of passionate home support in Belgrade.

"I managed to pull through to get the third point that allows Serbia to advance, which is the most important thing," said the 23-year-old.

On Saturday, French Open champion and world number eight Ivanovic had shown glimpses of her 2008 form to defeat Sugiyama 6-4 6-4, before Jankovic destroyed 18-year-old Morita 6-1 6-0.

Ivanovic has struggled with form since suffering an injury after claiming her maiden Grand Slam in Paris last spring and so was delighted with her performance.

"I am really happy that I was able to play the big points well," Ivanovic said in a courtside post-match interview in front of over 10,000 fans at the Beogradska Arena stadium.

"I didn't feel much pressure because it was the first match of the tie but while I became a bit nervous during the match, the crowd was splendid and really helped me at tough times," added the world number eight.

"It's a special feeling to play in front of... my family, friends, the (home) public."

AFP

Comment 1 - 17 of 17

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  1. Awesome as always ...
    But there are more steps ahead­ ...

    From MARKO, on Fri 13 Mar 3:36PM

  2. great picture, much better than the previous one they­ used for the article.

    From aleksicn93, on Tue 10 Feb 11:38AM

  3. The 5 Most Ill-Advised D a ting Sites on the Web ----­ Perhaps you've heard of ____T allMingle Co M___ ?

    From bigtall030, on Mon 9 Feb 6:06PM

  4. Post 11
    DO YOU MEAN HER MISTAKES ?
    ALISON M.

    From Nicholas, on Mon 9 Feb 12:56PM

  5. Well done SERBIA...and just for record, THERE WERE­ 15.118 PEOPLE IN ARENA-BELGRADE!!! New highest record­ in attendance for FED CUPS. Thanx to Ana & JJ.

    From Laura, on Sun 8 Feb 6:19PM

  6. BRAVO JJ AND ANA! THANK U FOR FANTASTIC WEEKEND-WE EVEN­ HAD SPRING LIKE WEATHER FOR YOU GIRLS!!!
    ALL THE BEST­ IN THE FUTURE FEC CUP!

    From mira, on Sun 8 Feb 5:04PM
  7. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    I love her boobs

    From RaSor, on Sun 8 Feb 12:27PM

  8. WELL DONE ANA AND JELENA KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK 3 ZIT­ TODAY I HOPE.

    From AJ, on Sun 8 Feb 12:05PM

  9. I love Jelena Jankovic and Ana Ivanovic! So, I would­ like to see WTA tournaments in Belgrade.

    From Vladan, on Sun 8 Feb 5:11AM

  10. Is this about the Fed Cup in Belgrade Arena in Serbia­ and how Ana and Jelena won or what?
    Well done gir,s­ keep going.

    From mozekakodane, on Sat 7 Feb 11:15PM

  11. lol u can also say' belgrade arena' if ure­ using it in english,.. but i like the sound of nasheg­ jezika ^^

    From Jane, on Sat 7 Feb 10:42PM

  12. When it comes to playing Italy,the french rarely win:-(­ But it's not over yet,Amélie will be willing to­ redeem herself,the same for Alizé.Those girls never­ give up...:-)Jess X

    From Jeremy, on Sat 7 Feb 10:28PM

  13. Welldone JJ and ANA, congrats, hope You win double­ tomorow for 3-0 and move on. BRAVO from Serbia.

    From boki, on Sat 7 Feb 10:21PM

  14. Penetta called the umpire a "W H O R E" but­ was just given a warning for doing that...pfff :-( Jess­ X

    From Jeremy, on Sat 7 Feb 7:00PM

  15. Its such a shame to see former top players struggle for­ form, just shows how hard it is to win when you're­ not used to winning so often anymore, but well done­ Flavia, she is a much better player than many people­ realise, good stuff!

    From justgetsnasty, on Sat 7 Feb 5:43PM

  16. Cruel but deserved loss for Amélie who was pitiful when­ it came to win the key points(double fault on her match­ point,among others...)She lost a match which she should­ have won several times.In other respects,Pennetta's­ attitude and behaviour were absolutely terrible in that­ match(end of the tie break)being extremely rude towards­ the crowd..Yet,she managed to remain focused and never­ gave,so well done to the Italian player.

    From Jeremy, on Sat 7 Feb 4:46PM

  17. OH COME ON AMELIE WANT TO SEE FRANCE COME THROUGH THIS­ TIE WITH ITALY HOPE ALIZE CAN PULL THE FRENCH TEAM BACK­ ON COURSE FOR A WIN.

    From AJ, on Sat 7 Feb 4:31PM
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