Jelena Jankovic Fan Site

Jelena just can't win against Kanepi

noreply@blogger.com (Djole) — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 19:02:00 +0000

photo: getty images

Third seeded Jelena Jankovic lost her 3rd round match to Estonian Kaia Kanepi in straight sets, 4:6, 4:6.

It looks like the Estonian is just too strong for Jelena. Jelena was overepowered earlier today. Kanepi was serving well and she also play her forehands deep, precise and way too strong for JJ. Althoug she wasn't the favorite in this match, Kaia managed to defeat her higher-ranked opponent, wining a couple of matches in a row against the former world no.1.

Jelena was trying hard to level the score throughout the whole second set, but at the end of the set Jelena just gave in and Kanepi closed out the match 6:4, 6:4.

Jelena will lose points from the last season and her spot at the WTA Championships remains unsecured.

Jelena advances to the 3rd round!

noreply@blogger.com (Djole) — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 15:57:00 +0000

photo: getty images

Jelena Jankovic, the 3rd seed in Tokyo, defeated Alona Bondarenko in straight sets, 6:4, 6:1, to advance to the third round after just over an hour of play. Jelena's next opponent will be either Estonian Kaia Kanepi or Israeli Shahar Peer.

JJ tennis court

noreply@blogger.com (Djole) — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 16:51:00 +0000

Look closer!
Yes, this is JJ clay court in the heart of Belgrade (Kalemegdan).

Jelena will play in Japan

noreply@blogger.com (Djole) — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 18:36:00 +0000

Jelena Jankovic will play in Tokyo this year.
The Torray PPO Tennis will start on September 26th and will be played until Saturday, October 2nd.
This is one of the highest league tournaments, it’s premier level. The prize money is $2 000 000! It will be played on hard court and it will be outdoors.
Jelena has a lot of points to defend. Last year she lost to Maria Sharapova in the final.
This will be a great opportunity for JJ to gain more points and qualify for the WTA Championships in Doha.

ANTA Sports-bag designed by Jelena Jankovic

noreply@blogger.com (Djole) — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 21:04:00 +0000

We present to you ANTA bag designed by Jelena Jankovic!

Sleek and stylish handbag from a collection of Serbian tennis player Jelena Jankovic will inspire women, which move in the middle of the bustling city, where they need to rely on high quality. This original handbag is made from high quality, comfortable and durable material. Handbag offers many practical space for your needs. You'll be happy enough with it and you'll never want any other. This model is decorated with refined details, the stylish logo of ANTA and Jelena's signature. You'll fall in love with it immediately. Make it yours!

This bag is available for purchase only in Czech Republic!

Jelena falls in the rankings!

noreply@blogger.com (Djole) — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 20:26:00 +0000

photo: getty images

Jelena Jankovic is ranked 6th in the world as of Tuesday, September 14th.

Jelena came to the US Open as the 5th seeded player. After recovering from an ankle injury JJ came to New York with big hopes and a dream of winning a Grand Slam.

Jelena had to work hard in the early rounds, much harder than expected. She was very lucky and managed to advance to the 3rd round and encounter with Estonian Kaia Kanepi. Kanepi proved to be too strong for the former world number one. Jelena had to pack her bags, leave the town and face the facts about her poor game. Despite crashing out in the 3rd round, Jelena gained some points and went down only one place in the newest rankings. But what's more important, in the race for the year-end WTA Championships taking place in Doha, Jelena finished 8th! It means if JJ went down at least on place in the race, she would not qualify for the prestigious tournament consisting of 8 best players of the year.

Jelena will get another chance to improve with tournaments in Asia starting soon.

Jelena signed up for China Open

noreply@blogger.com (Djole) — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 13:07:00 +0000

Serbian tennis player Jelena Jankovic officially entered China Open in Beijing.

The tournament will be held since September 25th to October 10th. Jelena always played good tennis in Chinese capital, and two years ago JJ won the tournament and secured a number 1 rank in the world.

Kanepi too strong for JJ!

noreply@blogger.com (Djole) — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 19:44:00 +0000

photo: getty images

Jelena Jankovic's U.S. Open hopes were literally blown away on Saturday when she was beaten 6-2 7-6 by Kaia Kanepi of Estonia in the third round at Flushing Meadows.

The fourth seeded Jankovic was unable to control her serve and groundstrokes in the gusting winds on centre court, as Kanepi held her game together to reach the last 16 in New York for the first time.

Kanepi has been one of the biggest improvers on the women's professional tour this year, rising more than 100 places in the rankings since May.

She reached the quarter-finals at the French Open and Wimbledon and won her first WTA event at Palermo shortly after.

After dominating the first set, Kanepi opened the door for Jankovic to make a comeback when she failed to serve out the match. Jankovic then had the chance to force the match into a deciding third set but the former world number one's own serve let her down and Kanepi wrapped it up in the tiebreak.

At least, Jelena managed to defend her points from the last year when she lost in the 2nd round.

Jelena won again!

noreply@blogger.com (Djole) — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 23:31:00 +0000

photo: getty

Number four seed Jelena Jankovic survived a feisty match against Croatia's Mirjana Lucic with a 6-4 3-6 6-2 victory at the U.S. Open on Thursday that booked the Serb's ticket into the third round.

The pair had repeated spats with the umpire over a host of contested line calls during their two-hour two-minute match on another steamy day inside Louis Armstrong Stadium.

"I'm just happy to get through - she gave me a really hard time," a tired Jankovic told reporters afterwards. "It's a step forward from the first round. I think I played much better ... but I have to pick it up. I'm working on it."

Prior to the contest, Lucic described being at the U.S. Open, only her second grand slam appearance since 2002, as "incredible."

But the sentiment failed to sum up her mood as she fell a set behind in her first ever meeting with Jankovic as both players struggled to hold serve.

Jankovic, the longest-serving member of the women's top 10 having been there since February 2007, looked confident going into the second set as Lucic received a medical timeout for an apparent blister on her right Achilles.

But the enforced interval appeared to help the 1999 Wimbledon semi-finalist's cause and she leveled the match and let out a roar in front of the sun-baked crowd.

Lucic moved ahead in the match as she broke to go 3-2 clear in the final set but it proved to be her last game of the match as Jankovic, a finalist at Flushing Meadows in 2008, won four consecutive games. Next for Jelena is Kaia Kanepi.

By REUTERS

Interview with Jelena after her win over Halep

noreply@blogger.com (Djole) — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 22:28:00 +0000

Q. What happened out there today?

JELENA JANKOVIC: Um, it was a tough match. It was, you know, my first match here. For me, those first matches are always the toughest. It was really hot and windy. My opponent played really well. She was putting a lot of balls in the court. She didn't really make many mistakes, and I really had to work for every point. But I wasn't, you know, playing my best tennis. I was just, you know, trying to find my rhythm out there and trying to do my best to get through. I'm happy that I was able to get through this match. It was a really tough one for me

Q. It didn't look like you had a lot of enthusiasm. Was it difficult to keep grinding?

JELENA JANKOVIC: Yeah. I just said to myself, you know, There are days when you're not going to be feeling the ball, you're not going to be moving your feet. In those days, you just really have to fight and really have to try your best and give your maximum and try to get through these kind of matches. If you are able to do that, then it gives you a lot more confidence for the next round.

Q. But what about the confidence coming in here? It's been such a great summer.

JELENA JANKOVIC: Yeah, I got injured. I twisted my ankle, and I was completely unprepared. I wasn't able to train. I was moving really badly. But that's the past now, and now I'm healthy. I'm just looking to build on my confidence. I've been training pretty hard the last two weeks or so. I hope that I can transfer, you know, what I have worked on the practice courts, that I can transfer to the matches.

Q. What was the heat like?

JELENA JANKOVIC: It was pretty hot out there. But, you know, the conditions are the same for me as for my -- and for my opponent. So like I said, the conditions were, you know, tough. But I didn't really -- I didn't want to think about that. I just wanted to focus as much as I could on the match and play each point one point at a time. Luckily, I was able to win today.

Q. How hot was it, and how did the heat compare with other hot matches?

JELENA JANKOVIC: It was pretty hot. I don't really know exactly how many degrees, but obviously, you know, it's not easy to play in these kind of conditions. But all you have to do -- you have to just try your best.

Q. You've played in all the big stadiums around the world. Is the wind in Ashe the windiest, or where do you rank it?

JELENA JANKOVIC: It's kind of you know, it's kind of swirling. You know, from one side the ball kind of flies, and then on the other side it just -- you know, your balls go short and it's tough. But it also kind of changes directions at times. So it's really important to move your feet and to really, you know, really be focused on the balls so that -- because I made a lot of errors today. I just, you know, there was some bad mistakes that I made, but, you know, I just tried to move on and stay positive and just, you know, play, you know, the best that I could on these kind of conditions.

Q. What are your thoughts about your next opponent and what she's done with her career since she was a young player?

JELENA JANKOVIC: Who am I playing?

Q. Mirjana.

JELENA JANKOVIC: Mirjana Lucic? You know, I didn't really look far in the draw. Um, I know her. We speak a lot in the locker rooms, and she's a nice girl. You know, I look forward to playing against her. I just want to play my tennis. But as far as for her things, I don't really get involved and I don't really know so much. It's, you know, personal things, so I don't, you know, get involved, because I don't really know, you know, much about her personal, you know, life

Q. Are you familiar though with her determination to overcome injuries and the types of injuries she's had?

JELENA JANKOVIC: No. All I know is that she's been doing well the last couple of months and she's playing well. She's came back on the tour and she's trying her best to get better. That's, you know, what I know. I think that's great for her.

Q. Do you remember her at Wimbledon in '99.

JELENA JANKOVIC: I don't know. Was I playing at that time? I don't know. When did I become pro?

Q. Do you remember anything about it, if you weren't?

JELENA JANKOVIC: To be honest, I know that she made semifinals, but I don't think I watched it.

Q. Do you come into this tournament this year or any of the Slams this year with the same outlook that you've had, say, for the last four or five years, yes, I can still win of one of these things?

JELENA JANKOVIC: Yes, I believe I can do it. It's just a matter of believing in myself and having the confidence, and, as well, doing the right things on the court. Because I really want to, you know, kind of get my tennis to another level. I know I can do that, because if I'm able to do it in the practice, I have to do it in the matches, as well. So my goal for the next match will be to, you know, go after my shots, play with more confidence. Today I was a little bit nervous, which is normal. I haven't played many matches on hard courts. It was my first match here at the Open, so I just was a bit nervous. Hopefully in the next match I will be better.

Jelena wears Jimmy Choo again

noreply@blogger.com (Djole) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 22:31:00 +0000

At the player party in Montreal, Jelena was wearing creations by Jimmy Choo...once again.

Jelena is known as someone who likes high fashion and extravagant look. For this occasion Jelena decided for sandals and handbag made of snake. The heel is 12cm high.

This exotic sandals cost 850 €, but now are on sale and half-price.
Of course, there is a matching handbag with the same pattern. The handbag is "heavy" 1345 $.Here is a photo of Jelena with those two fashion items.

Drama queen strikes again!

noreply@blogger.com (Djole) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:04:00 +0000

photo: Philip Hall/usopen.org

The 4th seed Jelena Jankovic opened the day programme at 5pm CET and finished it after 140-minute-long torture with Romanian qualifier Simona Halep.

After 140 minutes, 15 breaks of serve, 7 double faults and only 1 ace Jelena Jankovic managed to close out the match successfully 6:4, 4:6, 7:5.

Jelena looked strong at the beginning of the match, taking the lead 3:0. After 5 breaks of serve Jelena managed to keep her serve and win the first set 6:4.

In the second set Halep had the momentum on her side as she goes 4:0 up. Simona Halep looked tired and she was not moving well which helped Jelena to take the full advantage of it and to lift the score up. Once again Romanian seemed motivated and strong, wining the second set 6:4.

The final set was a nerve breaker. Breaks of serve continued during the first two games, but then JJ held her serve and went 2:1 up, At 4 all, Jelena relented and let a qualifier break her serve. Halep was serving for the match, but the 4th seed came back strong winning the next 3 games to win the dramatic match 6:4, 4:6, 7:5.

In the next round Jelena's opponent will be Croatian Mirjana Lucic.

IMPORTANT: Jelena has a chance of becoming no1 player in the world after the US Open. All she has to do is to lift the trophy.

The Beauty of the Power Game + video

noreply@blogger.com (Djole) — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 20:15:00 +0000

Jelena Jankovic was among the seven Sony Ericsson WTA Tour stars featured in The New York Times series of photos and videos. The projects was named " The Beauty of the Power Game ".

Jelena was seen wearing a short and very tight light-brown dress with tassels. JJ performed smash, although that is not one of her favorite shots. Anyway, Jelena looked great and that is all that matters.

Other WTA stars who took participation in this project were Serena Williams, Kim Clijsters, Elena Dementieva, Vera Zvonareva, Victoria Azarenka and Samantha Stosur, all of them performing different shots.

Take a look at the video.

Message for visitors

noreply@blogger.com (Djole) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 22:08:00 +0000

Dear visitors,

The team of Jelena Jankovic Fan Site was on a group vacation during previous months and we are deeply sorry for not keeping you updated.
As the break is over, we are ready and willing to continue where we started before Wimbledon. By the time the US Open starts, we will be back in business, ready to update the website and provide all sorts of news about our favorite Jelena Jankovic.

Thank you for your patience,
JJ Fan Site

Pre-Wimbledon Party

noreply@blogger.com (Djole) — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 19:43:00 +0000

Serbian tennis star Jelena Jankovic attended the Pre-Wimbledon Party alongside her boyfriend Mladjan Janovic.
Jelena rocked the show with her short dark dress, looking sweet and sexy.

Photos are in the Off-court Gallery.

Jelena destroyed by Stosur!

noreply@blogger.com (Djole) — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 15:09:00 +0000

photo: getty images

Jelena Jankovic, 4th seed, didn't manage to advance to her first Roland Garros Finale despite being the highest seeded player in the semifinals. Jelena lost to Aussie Samantha Stosur in straight sets, 6:1, 6:3.

The French Open 2010 will have an unecspected finale after Dementieva retired in the first semifinal, and after Jelena won only 3 games against the 7th seeded Sam Stosur.

Samantha was luckier with the coin so she decided to serve first. Sam had problems in the opening game, but managed to win it. Jelena also held serve and leveled the score to 1:1. After it, it was all about the Australian. Jelena moved slow on the court and missed lots of chances and was punished by losing the set 6:1.

In the second set Jelena started wonderfully. Jelena held serve, then she broke opponent's serve and had 40:15 in the third game, trying to go 3:0 up. Jelena made some wrong choices and handed a game to Samantha. After it Jelena let to be broken again and after Sam held her serve, went 4:2 up. Jelena was unable to find court with her forehand while her backhand was solid. Sam had some unbelievable shots, just along the lines and closed the match out after under one hour of play.

The Iron Lady is the nickname given to JJ a couple of seasons ago, but this time the Iron Lady melted like an ice cube in front of Sam's strength and marvelous play.

Despite losing this match, Jelena showed that she regrouped and is ready to have another fantastic season, and also after improving her serve JJ showed a hope to pass the 4th round at Wimbledon for the 1st time.

Interview with Jelena after beating Shvedova!

noreply@blogger.com (Djole) — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 18:53:00 +0000

photo: getty images

Q. How did you feel today?
JELENA JANKOVIC: I felt good. You know, it was first day that was sunny, so it was different kind of play. And overall, you know, for me it was a tough match. I'm happy to get through and be in semifinal.

Q. You had some bad memories with this player. How did you prepare this match?
JELENA JANKOVIC: I lost to her in US Open, but the last time we played I won. I just wanted to go out there and play my game. I knew what to expect from her. You know, she's a big girl. She can hit, you know, really hard and go after her shots.
I had to focus on some things. I'm glad that I was able to win.

Q. This is your third semifinal in Roland Garros. Is this going to be your favorite Grand Slam tournament?
JELENA JANKOVIC: What is this mean?

Q. You play well. This is your third semifinal, so is it going to be your favorite Grand Slam tournament?
JELENA JANKOVIC: I really like this tournament a lot. You know, it's one of my favorites. You know, I hope that I can have better luck and get through the semifinal. I will have a tough match.
You know, for now I'm happy to be in the semifinal, but I look forward, you know, to playing tomorrow. I just want to try my best, and I hope that I can go to the final.

Q. One word about Samantha Stosur.
JELENA JANKOVIC: She plays really well. She's beaten two really good players, Justine and Serena. Shows she's in top form.
It will be a tough match. I have played against her, you know, this year but on hardcourt. So this will be a different match. We're playing on clay. I just want to go out there and play my game and give my maximum, and what happens, happens.

Q. What happened in the beginning of the match? Because we saw that Shvedova was actually leading you. She had 2 games to 0. You seemed to have a bit of difficulty getting into the match. Can you just explain what went wrong and what you found most difficult about Shvedova?
JELENA JANKOVIC: Yeah, overall I had a slow start. You know, I got broken in the first game of the match, and she took her opportunities. She played really well in the beginning, especially in the beginning of the first set.
She was really loose; she was going after her shots; she did really no mistake; she served very well, had a lot of first serves in.
But then I just tried to stay positive, and I waited for my chances. I started to get, you know, a look at her second serve. That's where I tried to be aggressive, and I tried to attack and put pressure on her.
That was the key, especially in that first set. Because then she backed up, and I could, you know, play more offensively and take that first set.
It was tough. I mean, she played really well.

Q. Can you tell us the defining moment? What was the turning point in the game where you really came back to win?
JELENA JANKOVIC: It was basically, you know, as soon as I broke her, you know, to level the match in the first set.
You know, I got my confidence back, and, you know, I started serving much better. You know, I saw that, you know, I just have to be patient and wait for my chances.
Then when I have them, I have to take them, because she's like I said, she can serve very, very well.
If you don't return, you know, deep or something, she can hit, you know, just winners off of everything.

Jelena goes back to the semifinals!

noreply@blogger.com (Djole) — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 14:51:00 +0000

photo: getty images

Jelena Jankovic reached the French Open semi-finals for the third time in her career with a 7-5 6-4 defeat of Kazakhstan's Yaroslava Shvedova.
Jelena is the only player from top 5 who reached the semifinals and the highest remaining seed in the draw.

The fourth seed was given a tough time by the world number 36 but enjoyed some unlikely assistance from her opponent near the end of the one hour 31 minute contest.
Shvedova, who wore sunglasses, completely missed an easy smash to hand Jankovic a break of serve and level the second set at 4-4 and then served a double fault on match point down.
Serbia's Jankovic will face Samantha Stosur of Australia in the last four.

Interesting fact: None of the 4 semifinalists has won a Grand Slam.

Jelena advances to quarters in Paris!

noreply@blogger.com (Djole) — Mon, 31 May 2010 18:17:00 +0000

Serbian fourth seed Jelena Jankovic eased past Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova 6-4 6-2 to reach the quarter-finals of the French Open on Monday.

Jankovic, a semi-finalist in Paris in 2007 and 2008, was rarely troubled by the 23rd seed during her one-hour and 25-minute stroll on Centre Court. Jelena and Daniela played a very tense first set, Jelena had lots of chances for break which she didn't use, but in the key moments she kept her cool and closed the first set out with 6:4. In the second set was all about Jelena, who improved her serve and movement drastically to win the match in straight sets, 6:4, 6:2.

The former world number one, looking to clinch her maiden grand slam tournament, wrapped up the win on her first match point when Hantuchova misfired a service return.

In the quarterfinals Jelena will meet with Yaroslava Shvedova of Kazakhstan. The match will be played on Wednesday.

French Open: 4th Round Schedule of Play

noreply@blogger.com (Djole) — Sun, 30 May 2010 19:44:00 +0000

4th seed Jelena Jankovic will play against 23rd seed Daniela Hantuchova on Monday. Their match is scheduled to be the last on court Philippe Chatrier. JJ and Dani will play after Nadal and Bellucci. The programme starts at 11am.

Jelena sets up clash with Hantuchova!

noreply@blogger.com (Djole) — Sat, 29 May 2010 23:27:00 +0000

photo: getty images

Jelena advanced to the forth round at the French Open after defeating 27th seed Alona Bondarenko of Ukraine in straight sets, 6:4, 7:6.

Jelena's match was the last played match on courts of Roland Garros on Saturday. Jelena defeated Bondarenko in straight sets, but this win was far from emphatic.

Jelena seemed to be nervous from the beginning of the match, rushing to close it out before the dark. It wasn't a high-level match, because it was full of breaks and unforced errors from both sides. Jelena made 33 unforced errors and managed to hold her serve mere 4 time throughout the 1 hour and 46 minutes lasting match. Jelena had 14 break points, but broke her opponent 8 times.

This was 11th meeting between Serbian no.1 Jankovic and Ukranian Bondarenko, with Jelena leading 10:1 now. Jelena's next opponent in the quarterfinals will be Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova. Daniela and JJ are tied at 3:3, but Hantuchova won both matches they played this year, and even worse for Jelena, both matches were played on clay.

Interview with Jelena after her 2nd round match

noreply@blogger.com (Djole) — Thu, 27 May 2010 22:27:00 +0000

Q. How did you feel on the court today? Do you consider it taking advantage of the interruption of the match?

JELENA JANKOVIC: Yeah, overall it was very difficult because of the conditions. I came here around 9:00 in the morning. You know, to go, to be waiting around, you know, in the locker room, it's really not easy. Then you go on the court, and I started pretty well.

I thought that I played pretty well in the first set, even though the conditions were much more different than in the first round when I played, because the court was much slower, the balls were heavier. So overall the play was much, much slower.

So, you know, I tried my best. In the second set my opponent played much better. She made a lot more first serves. You know, I decided to back up and I didn't really do what I was supposed to do. Then when we had a break, you know, in the third, I thought, you know, I have to play more aggressively. I have to go for my shots a little more. You know, I have to, you know, go out there, and, you know, put some ‑‑ play offensively and try to win. That's what I did.

So overall it was a very difficult match. You know, she's a tough opponent to play against, and I'm happy that I was able to get through.

Q. Last two games you played more aggressive. You came in, you stepped in, you stopped playing so defensive. Did you tell yourself, If I'm gonna win this match, I can't just have her hit me off the court?

JELENA JANKOVIC: Yeah, because, you know, that's why I lost the second set. I backed up, and I let her, you know, come in. Balls were coming a lot shorter than, you know, in the first set, and my ball didn't have much pace, you know.

That's why basically I ‑‑ and I started returning very short, so overall, my balls were short, so they were easy, much easier for her to attack.

Then in the third, you know, I was a little bit angry with myself. You know, I was a little bit frustrated. And then when I had that break, you know, I had some instructions. You know, I have to, you know, I have to go out there and I have to play more offensively and I have to go after my shots.

But to be honest, it was ‑‑ you know, it was much more different than in the first. When I played my first round, the court was fast. The balls were going. Here the ball, even though sometimes you hit it really hard, it doesn't really go anywhere, so the points are much longer and it's a much different play.

Overall it was a tough one to get through, and lucky to finish the match, especially with this, in this kind of rainy day.

Q. So how much confidence do you have? You've had a pretty good season on clay that maybe this year you can make a big push in this tournament.

JELENA JANKOVIC: I have a lot of confidence. I've been playing quite well, you know, on clay. I had, you know, a lot of good wins on clay against some of the top players.

So I'm coming into this tournament quite confident, and, you know, I hope that I can just improve it each round and get used to all these conditions. You know, every day it's something different. You gotta be ready, you gotta have your focus.

Like today, it was not easy. I was waiting around the whole day and going on court, you know, after like I don't know how many hours of sitting around, and then you don't finish the match. You stop in the middle of the match, and then you have to go again. It's really not easy. It's tough, you know. You've got to stay warm. You've got to go on court and be ready from the first point.

So I'm just happy I was able to end today. She's a tough opponent, and she had a lot ‑‑ I think she had also good wins against Justine and in the Fed Cup. She's been doing quite well, won a couple of tournaments. That's what I've heard.

And I lost to her in Dubai I think last year, so I'm happy to get a win against her.

Q. When you were a kid in Serbia or training in Florida, when you imagined yourself on the center court of a Slam, winning a Slam, was it this one, by any chance, or did you not have one picked out for yourself?

JELENA JANKOVIC: Yeah, it was probably ‑‑ it was like ‑‑ you know, as a kid, I kind of always, you know, admired Wimbledon, because, you know, it was just a huge tradition. I never thought I was gonna be, you know, one day over there and be playing this kind of tournament.

I'm not really a fan of grass, but now when I started to play, when I, you know, developed my game, I prefer, you know, French Open and US Open, so my dream is, you know, to win this one and US Open. Those are my favorite ones. Those are the ones that suit my game.

Q. So apparently Ana was talking about what happened in Madrid after the match with you and the fist pump. You want to talk about, you know, your version of that? I know it was a big win for you, but why you decided...

JELENA JANKOVIC: What was her version?

Q. Well, she basically said that, you know, sports reveals character. That's what she was saying.

JELENA JANKOVIC: For me, you know, I don't need really to comment on that, you know. I don't think it's a right time to comment on this kind of thing.

But for me, as a player, it's ‑‑ every player has their way of, you know, motivating themselves and pumping themselves up, you know, if you win a point or you didn't win a point. But I don't think it's nice to put it, you know, the fist in their face. That's what can be a little irritating. That's the only ‑‑ but all the players, they do, you know, different kind of gestures, you know, with their hands.

But, you know, it's a little bit ‑‑ when you do that in the player's face, and especially after not winning a point after your opponent missed an easy ball, I don't think it's ‑‑ I don't think that's fair play.

That's just my opinion, and that's what I, as a player, don't like to do to other players. If I'm ‑‑ if I win a point or something, I do it, but I don't go like that in your face (holds up fist). That was only ‑‑ and especially when it comes to maybe me and Ana, we are two girls from the same country, and it's nice to have a nice relationship and play a normal match. Somebody has to win, and that's normal.

We're both professionals. We want to do our best on the court, and I think we should play fair. That's just my opinion. I have nothing, you know, against her or fist pumps or whatever. I play my game. I have my personality. I'm myself, and it's none of my business what Ana does or all these other girls on the court. But for me, I prefer to this kind of way like I already explained.

Q. One more question: You had that great win over Serena in Rome, and then at the end there was the whole thing about the hand. Then she came up to you at net and appeared to apologize in some way, saying she wasn't trying to stop it? Did she say, I'm not Justine, or I'm not like Justine? What do you remember?

JELENA JANKOVIC: I don't want to comment on that, because that's between me and Serena, and, you know, she said that I have a nice dress and a nice size, you know, after the match. (laughter.)

So I don't really want to comment on whatever she said. It doesn't really matter for the public. It's ‑‑ you know, we are ‑‑ we played a tough match. It was a great match. We played good tennis, and that's what matters.

Sometimes there are gonna be some weird moments, but because we're very competitive, we want to ‑‑ we want to win. I mean, it's not like we are having a picnic out there or a charity match. This is a professional sport. We want to ‑‑ I mean, both of us want to win, and that's actually ‑‑ it's a big battle, and sometimes things happen, but sometimes you don't mean it, and you're under this atmosphere whereas sometimes you cannot control your emotions and that can be difficult.

Overall, you know, it was a good match. That's what I want to remember it as, and I won both ‑‑ I won against both Williams sisters in less than 24 hours, so it was a pretty good tournament for me, and, you know, it was really good for my confidence.

I got two wins against No. 1 and No. 2 in the world, so that means something.

Watch the interview here

Jelena survived Kanepi!

noreply@blogger.com (Djole) — Thu, 27 May 2010 18:28:00 +0000

Serbian Jelena Jankovic ran into a spot of bother as she reached the third round of the French Open with a 6-2 3-6 6-4 win over Estonia's Kaia Kanepi on a soggy day at Roland Garros Thursday.

The fourth seed, twice a semi-finalist at Roland Garros, breezed through the first set in a buttercup yellow dress but she withered in the second set as Kanepi levelled the match.

Rain returned early in the third set, causing a 55-minute delay, but Jankovic managed to wrap up the win after two hours and four minutes when Kanepi sent a forehand long just before the tarpaulins were dragged back on to centre court.

Jankovic will next face Ukrainian 27th seed Alona Bondarenko. Jelena leads 9:1 against Bondarenko, but Alona won their last match at the Australian Open in January.

Jelena shines in Paris!

noreply@blogger.com (Djole) — Mon, 24 May 2010 20:54:00 +0000

Jelena in Paris | photo: Getty Images

World number 4 Jelena Jankovic successfully overcame Alicia Molik to advance to the second round of the French Open.

Until this first round match in Paris Alicia Molik was leading 4:2 in previous encounters with Jelena. Alicia was never a fantastic clay-court player and due to her low ranking Jelena was the favorite in this match. In the first set it was all about Jelena as she served well, returned well and moved fantastically. Jelena was dictating points and left no chance for Molik. Jelena won the first set decisively- 6:0.

In the second set Jelena seemed less concentrated, but still she managed to break Molik's great serve and lead 3:2. At 4:2 for Jelena, Molik served a fantastic game closing it out with an ace. At 5:4 Jelena served for the match wining the game to-love. After just 62 minutes Jelena won 6:0, 6:4 and set up a clash with Kaia Kanepi from Estonia. Kaia Kanepi leads 1:0 in encounters with Jelena. Their played their one and only match this year in Dubai, where Jelena was 3rd seed and lost in straight sets.

After the match Jelena said: "I think I played well overall. First matches are always tough, and especially after waiting all day, I had get myself going and have the focus from the start and Alicia has a good serve. So I had to really concentrate on that to get a good return and start dictating the points. So overall, I'm happy with the first set how I played. Second set, I had some ups and downs, but overall was a good first round match for me."

Jelena also debuted her new dress made by ANTA. The dress is yellow, very bright and sexy. At the bottom of it, it has several layers, which look like a lace. Check out Jelena's dress in off-court gallery.

Roland Garros: Jelena's Draw!

noreply@blogger.com (Djole) — Fri, 21 May 2010 22:00:00 +0000

Jelena will start her campaign of winning her first Grand Slam title against experienced Aussie Alicia Molik in the first round.

In Jelena's half of the draw are 8th-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland, Russia's Alisa Kleybanova (Alisa and Jelena are tied at 2:2 in their encounters), off-form Russian Vera Zvonareva, another Russian and former number 1 Dinara Safina who fell to number 9, in-form Belgian Yanina Wickmayer, Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova (who beat Jelena last time in Belgrade), Alona Bondarenko of Ukraine (won the last match against Jelena) and Serbian Ana Ivanovic who is rapidously improving her game.

In potential semifinal, Jelena could meet world number one Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Justine Henin, Pavlyuchenkova, Shahar Peer, Jie Zheng or Samantha Stosur.

Click here to look at the draw.