Jelena Jankovic seems to have combated exhaustion as she impressively beat defending champion Serena Williams 6-3 6-4 to move into the Australian Open semifinals.
Seventh seed Williams was prone to errors, while third seed Jankovic played courageously, defended and attacked very well, something not many people believed she was capable of doing having in mind her injuries and tiredness.
Jankovic started the match sluggishly, and I feared we would be witnessing her total meltdown. Knowing how she struggled to defeat much lower-ranked opponents so far at the Australian Open, I though Jankovic would have very little chance when faced with some top player. But she proved me wrong, and I’m glad! I’m happy Jankovic raised the level of her game and showed she has the ability to stay at the very top. Jankovic definitely fought for this victory, but we have to admit that she also got a considerable amount of help by Williams herself, who made lots of unforced errors which made her so desperate that she even destroyed her racquet at one point.
Jankovic’s run to the semifinals is really impressive. Here’s how the world No.4 described it: “I’m like a wounded animal, I still keep going. The most important thing is that I fight on the court, and I always give my best and I never give up.”
Surprising fact: The first ace of the match was Jankovic’s!
In the semis Jelena Jankovic will face spectacular Maria Sharapova who disposed of world No.1 Justine Henin in straight sets 6-4, 6-0. Soon I will add more details about the quarterfinal between Sharapova and Henin.
