Ana Ivanovic, Jelena Jankovic set for all-Serbian French Open semifinal

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Serbian stars Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic both advanced to the 2008 French Open semifinals and will meet each other in the battle for the championship match.

The last year’s finalist Ivanovic displayed perfect from in her quarterfinal and outclassed Patty Schnyder in straight sets 6-3 6-2. Ivanovic’s game has been in perfect working order throughout the tournament, and she seems more than ready to reach her first Grand Slam title.

Third seed Jankovic also didn’t waste much time to advance to the semis, and it was especially important for her to defeat the 132nd-ranked Carla Suarez Navarro as quickly as possible because of the aches and pains she has endured over the past week. Jankovic reached the final four with the same score as her second-seeded countrywoman Ivanovic 6-3 6-2.

The 2008 French Open semifinal will be Ivanovic’s and Jankovic’s seventh career meeting. Ivanovic holds a 5-1 lead over Jankovic. The only time Jankovic won their encounter was two years ago in 2006 at Los Angeles on a hard court.

However, world No.3 Jankovic is optimistic about the match ahead of her:

She plays a different game from me. It’s hard to read because she likes to play short points and just goes for broke most of the time, so I had troubles in the past against her. But I don’t think we played on clay many times so it’s a different game and different circumstances, so I think it will be a completely different match. I really have to attack – she has some weaknesses in her game and I really need to play good tactically. Hopefully I can do it and get in the final for the first time of a Grand Slam.”

If either of the Serbs wins the title, she will become the top-ranked player in the world. Also, if the winner of their semifinal meeting loses the final to any player, other than Svetlana Kuznetsova, she will still have enough ranking points to become the world No.1, taking that spot from Maria Sharapova (who, by the way, doesn’t care).

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