Jankovic on course

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:50

Serbian Jankovic, 24, eased into the quarter-finals of the Toray Pan Pacific Open, at the expense of Vesnina who retired injured when trailing 6-1 3-0.

After wins in Marbella and Cincinnati earlier in the year, seventh seed Jankovic finds herself the firm favourite in the Japanese capital after early exits for the players ranked ahead of her.

The tournament has seen shock early defeats for defending champion Dinara Safina, Venus Williams, Elena Dementieva, Caroline Wozniacki, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Vera Zvonareva.

France’s Marion Bartoli will take on Jankovic in the last eight after recovering from an unconvincing start to beat Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 4-6 6-2 7-5.

Former world number one Maria Sharapova later won an all-Russian clash with Alisa Kleybanova 2-6 6-2 6-2 to reach the last eight.

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By Tim Farthing

About the Author / Tim Farthing

Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.