Eurosport - Mon, 29 Sep 08:52:00 2008
World number two Jelena Jankovic won her second tour title of the year after thrashing fourth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia 6-3 6-2 at the China Open.
Jankovic, beaten by Kuznetsova in the quarter-finals of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo last week, was rarely troubled as the Russian world number seven slumped to her fifth final defeat this year.
"She does not really have a good record in the finals. She kind of has that problem in the back of her mind and it always helps when you are going to play (under such circumstances)," said Jankovic, who picked up her second tour title of the year.
After both players surrendered early service breaks, 23-year-old Serb Jankovic was the first to settle, closing out the first set in 32 minutes before steam-rolling the former US Open champion in the second.
Kuznetsova racked up 14 unforced errors in the first set alone and struggled all over the court.
"I was not moving to the ball, I was not doing things on the court... I couldn't let (Jankovic) show her good game because I was making all the mistakes," said the Russian.
The win moves Jankovic only 21 points shy of re-claiming the number one spot from Serena Williams, who beat her to take the US Open, and sets up a potential showdown with the American at the Stuttgart Grand Prix next week.
Comment 6 - 25 of 85
great win :-)
Becoming number 1 and not wining single Gran Slam says how BRILLIANT and CONSTANT good player Jankovic is. Every tournament she is going far and from all players in WTA she was the one who was ALWAYS in the end of tournament. I think when u see that she played most matches than all girls did and done well in every tournament you will se she deserves top spot. GOOO J.J. !!!!!!!!
well said keep the tough rhino in place
Just wait until Mashas solder injury is cleared up! Forza Sharapova!!!
the Russian girls are tough,,, don't fake injuries & cry baby
will this title make her number one?
LOTS OF LOVE TO DEAR ADORABLE FAVOURITE ~~ ANNA IVANOVIC
SHE IS STILL VERY YOUNG IMMATURE & WILL DEVELOP
MARTINA HINGIS IS PERFECTLY RIGHT ~~ BECOME NO 1 ~~ YOU ARE IMMEDIATELY ATTACKED
BY ABUSIVE JEALOUS ENVY FROM THOSE WHO CAN'T PERFORM AT THAT LEVEL
JUST KEEP ANYONE YOU LOVE AWAY FROM NO 1 RANKING ~~ JUST STAY WITHIN TOP 6 APPROX
THE OTHERS GIRLS ""fans"" ! followerrs are consumed by envy & viscious jealousy to just ATTACK
"Overrated since day 1, maybe just another Myskina?" Definitely not. Ivanovic has enormous talent and hits the ball like thunder.
"Too many promotional events to go to?" I'm not aware that she's been doing any more of those recently so I don't think that's it.
"Overconfident?" Absolutely not. If anything the opposite is the case. I think it was Martina Hingis who once said that when you get to No.1 you go from being the hunter to being the hunted. It's a different kind of pressure. I think Ivanovic's confidence is shot to pieces right now. Unfortunately players who lose their nerve seldom fully recover it so the poor girl has a mountain to climb if she is to regain the No.1 spot.
so what exactly happen to Ivanovic? too many promotion events to go to? over confident? lose the ability to concentrate longer than an hour? Or she has been overrated since day 1 , maybe just another Myskina
This article should say "Zheng" in the title, not "Jie". Chinese names are usually written surname-first.
congratulationa
we still love dear ANNA IVANOVic
try the Kremlin Cup Moscow next ~~ then rest till Australia
I´m not a supporter of Ana Ivanovic, Sharapova´s supporter. Its obvious that Ivanovic is not in a good shape and i think that she should take some rest to regain confidence and to make a good start in january at Australian Open 2009.
If Ana switches over to 'Black Socks' on one of her feet, her fortunes might change. Who knows, her future might be coloured by a foot length!
Zheng played a great match she deserved to win! Ana played a good match, but was making too many errors and luck wasn't on her side! I think she's coming back! Go Ana!!!
well,zheng jie was better, sorry ana. hope you'll find your game again
condolences to darling pretty sweetie pie Anna Ivanovic
The result flatters to deceive, Ana looked particularly fragile early on and I think mentally she has a lot of work to do. There was a couple of times she seemed to experience pain in her forearm, hopefully nothing to worry about. Cornet looked exhausted and it has been a long season for her. Anyway a good win for Ana and hopefully she can build on that confidence boosting win.
Go Ana!
Sorry, Alizé, but Ana needed this win badly.
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