Wta- Jankovic Advances To Second Round Of The Kremlin Cup

Jelena Jankovic took revenge for her second round loss in the US Open to Yaroslava Shvedova

. Jankovic beat Kazakhstan's Shvedova in the second round of the Kremlin Cup 6-4, 5-7, 6-1 this Tuesday. The Serb is the defending champion of the tournament and is one of the event's favorites; Vera Zvonareva is the other. If Jankovic advances to the final and wins the tournament, she is sure to secure a spot in next week's season-ending WTA championships in Doha.

Shvedova and Jankovic began their match trading breaking serves and slamming good plays. Jankovic, however, at ninth in the WTA rankings, was slightly more precise and effective in her style, taking a one-set led in 37 minutes.

In the second set, 21-year-old Shvedova broke Jankovic's serve twice, and with 74% effectiveness in her first serve, won the set 7-5. Jankovic's precision had dropped; she was making too many mistakes that Shvedova was quick to take advantage of. The game was leveled, then, at one set apiece after 93 minutes.

In the decisive third set, however, the Serbian and former world No. 1 player recaptured her grace, breaking Shvedova's serve twice from the beginning. She took a strong 5-0 lead and ultimately took the set 6-1, winning the match in two hours and 16 minutes.

The win against Shvedova, ranked 50th in the world, was not an easy one.

"It was difficult for me to play here today as I was struggling not only my opponent but also an uncommon court," Jankovic said. "But it's normal as the first match at every event is always tough. Hope it will be more easy in the next rounds."

Jankovic stated that she had expected great tennis from Shvedova " remember the US Open?" but that she knew how to handle herself and her opponent in this tournament, feeling in control on the court despite losing the second set.

"I knew what to expect from her. At the US Open she played a match of her life while I was at my lowest level - my grandmother died on that day," said Jankovic. "I knew she could serve well and hit the ball well but today I played better. However, it took me some time to get into the match and get used to the balls and the court. And I'm just happy I was able to win the match."

Jankovic is closer to taking another title as the tournament's defending championship and fighting for a place in Doha, where she hopes to play with the best seven players of the tour.

Now in the second round of the Kremlin Cup, Jankovic will face Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic. Sarafrova beat the Russian Ekaterina Makarova on Monday with a score of 6-2, 6-2. Top seed and home favorite Vera Zvonareva; who beat Romania's Ioana Raluca Olaru 6-2, 6-2 ; will face qualifier Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria in the second round.

by: Ally White

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