Jankovic ousts williams in Stuttgart

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:04

The second seed in Stuttgart, Jankovic has yet to lose to the American this season and now holds a 5-3 career win-loss record against the former world number one and seven-time grand slam winner.

A winner at Beijing last week, the 23-year-old Serb will attempt to claim back-to-back titles on Sunday when she faces Russia’s Nadia Petrova.

Jankovic, who will overtake Venus’ sister, Serena Williams, at the top of the WTA rankings on Monday, had to work hard before nailing down her seventh consecutive win.

She faced 16 break points during the two hour 45 minute encounter, but Williams converted just two of those opportunities.

The US Open runner-up to Serena Williams, Jankovic will be searching for her third title of the season and eighth overall on Sunday.

Petrova had a somewhat easier path to the final as she beat unseeded Victoria Azarenka of Belarus 6-4 6-4 in the other semi-final.

The 26-year-old Russian has also been playing well of late. The eight-time champion won her sole title of the season at Cincinnati in August and has reached the semi-finals or better in four of her last five tournaments.

Petrova has lost three successive matches to Jankovic, who leads their all-time series 5-2.

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