Jelena Jankovic Successfully Defends Internazionali BNL d’Italia Title
Posted by Aaress Lawless on May 18, 2008 | Print | Email | Bookmark | Free Subscription
Jelena Jankovic’s trip to Rome in 2007 signaled a turning point in the Serbian’s career. Now a year later, Jankovic is still going strong after capturing her sixth career title at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.
Jankovic defeated French qualifier Alize Cornet 6-2, 6-2 on Sunday. This was the first time that Jankovic has successfully defended a Tour singles title.
“My goal and dream is to become No.1 in the world, and at the moment I think I’m on the right track,” Jankovic said after the match.
“If I continue like this, I have a big chance. I like playing on clay courts. I had a great clay court season last year, and then playing here and winning this tournament twice gives me a lot of confidence for the rest of the tournaments.”
Although she lost in the final, Cornet is projected to make her career Top 30 debut on the new rankings Monday, rising from her current No.34 to approximately No.22 by virtue of her results this week in Rome.
“Just to be in the final was the most exciting experience of my life,” said Cornet. “I knew Jelena could be the most difficult player to play because she moves very well and it’s really hard to make winners. Now I’m disappointed but it was a great week for me, for sure.”
Chan Yung-Jan and Chuang Chia-Jung defeated Iveta Benesova and Janette Husarova 7-6(5), 6-3 in the doubles final.
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gooberz | May 20, 2008 | Reply
Jankovic may fare better now on clay because as she admitted in her post-match interview, Justine Henin is now retired. ΓΌ