Jelena Jankovic to Play Serena Williams For US Open Title and No. 1 Ranking
Published by Aaress Lawless on Sep 5, 2008 | Print |
Eight-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams is scheduled to compete on Saturday for the 2008 US Open women’s singles title.
Second seed and former world number one Jelena Jankovic will face Williams in the championship match.
Serena Williams, the fourth seed, advanced to the final round without dropping a set.
Serena’s quarterfinal match against her sister Venus was one of her best performances of the year, and her intensity continued on Friday against sixth seed Dinara Safina in the semifinals.
Safina raced to an early lead in the match before Williams stormed back to win in straight sets 6-3, 6-2.
Jelena Jankovic triumphed in an emotional victory over fifth seed Elena Dementieva earlier in the day on Friday. The former No. 1 was in tears after her 6-4, 6-4 victory over the Beijing Olympic gold medalist.
The Serbian had lost in her four previous Grand Slam semifinal appearances.
“I’m healthy and I really want to do well,” said Jankovic after her match. “I’m really focused, I really believe in myself, and I’m really going one match at a time.”
“I’m really trying my best out there, and so I’m motivated. So I’m happy to be in the final for the first time.”
Jankovic knows that her match tomorrow against Williams will not be easy, but she is ready for the challenge.
“It will be a tough match,” said Jankovic when asked about facing Serena. “She’s a powerful player. She loves to play here at the Open, but so do I. I love being here. I love the atmosphere.”
The atmosphere is something that Serena Williams thrives on at the US Open, and it helped lead her to two titles in 1999 and 2002.
“It is so awesome,” said Williams after her victory. “I’m just happy to be finally back in the finals.”
The winner of the championship match will not only claim the US Open title, but also the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour number one singles ranking.
Aaress’ Prediction: Serena Williams in three sets
Dapxin | Sep 6, 2008 | Reply
goodluck to Jankovic. she will need lot of it
astrid | Sep 6, 2008 | Reply
Viva for Jelena! He deserve to this title.
I’m a big fan of Maria Sharapova. But this time I prefer to Jelena
I am not sure about Serena. Their last meet in Melbourne is Jelena’s. And as I know that Jelena is in injured at that time, but she can crushed Serena.
She didn’t need any goodluck. Serena did. Jelena is a great player and talented. The all things she needs is taking chances.
Dapxin | Sep 7, 2008 | Reply
Astrid,
When is the final starting ? Aaress, do us some favour please:)
Aaress Lawless | Sep 7, 2008 | Reply
Dapxin,
Here is the full schedule for all the matches today - the women will play at 9:00pm ET tonight.
http://www.onthebaseline.com/2008/09/06/us-open-september-7-schedule-of-play/
Just_A_Man210 | Sep 8, 2008 | Reply
what match were you watching, all serena all the time. True Jelena may be gifted but she was beat hands down. what was up with the sportman’s conduct? the comment at the end that is now where to be found? Serena apolgized for jumping at the end of here match, where is Jelena’s for those upbecoming comments.
astrid | Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
oh you just quite!
serena win because she need that. she trough wimbledon final and loose. so she deserve to win us open.
but i still like jelena more than serena. whether she win or not.