By Piers Newbery

Jankovic won her third title of 2007 at this month's Italian Open

Tennis has seen its fair share of miraculous comebacks and Jelena Jankovic can now join the honour roll.

A Grand Slam title would cap an incredible 12 months for the Serbian and from nowhere she has become a serious contender for the French Open.

The 22-year-old has stormed up to fourth in the Sony Ericsson WTA rankings by winning three titles this year, including the Italian Open in Rome last week.

This run of form has been all the more remarkable as Jankovic was so low heading to last year's Italian Open that she almost called it a day.

An appalling run of 10 consecutive defeats meant the former world junior number one did not enjoy a single victory between the middle of January and the middle of May.

"Last year in Rome I was thinking it was going to be my last tournament and that I don't want to play tennis any more," she told BBC Sport.

"That first match in Rome I played against Elena Lkihovtseva, I won one round and everything changed.

"I made the quarters to end the losing streak and it all started from there. Every tournament was getting better and better and I was feeling more and more confident.

"After five months I finished number 12 in the world, which was really amazing. Then this year in Rome I won the title - it was unbelievable how I almost quit playing tennis and one year later I'm holding the trophy."

So what has been the secret behind this turnaround in fortunes?

"Everybody has been asking me that and I don't know," she said. "I'm working very, very hard. I've improved my fitness a lot, I feel like mentally I'm a lot stronger and each shot is getting better.

"Nothing's perfect so I'm working hard every day. The confidence plays a big role and every time I step on the court I want to give my maximum.

"Sometimes when I'm not playing my best I find a way to win and that's the key to success."

I think I can beat her Jankovic on Henin

Jankovic made a breakthrough by reaching the semi-finals at last year's US Open but knows that more is expected of her at the French Open as a top-five player.

"It feels a bit different but I don't put any pressure on myself, I just want to do well," she said.

"My best surface is hard courts but it's been amazing that this year I won two Tier One titles on clay.

"I feel I'm learning how to slide on the clay and I'm moving a lot better. If you move well on clay it makes a big difference and I'm doing that well right now."

If she is to lift the trophy at Roland Garros there is every chance that somewhere along the way, Jankovic will have to beat defending champion and strong favourite Justine Henin.

That would be a tough task for any player but especially one with an 0-5 record who has lost three desperately close matches against the Belgian already this year.

"I think I can beat her," insisted Jankovic. "I was so close so many times and she always beat me 6-4 in the third with a few points deciding the winner.

"Experience plays a big role between the two of us and she is the one who plays more solid.

"I tend to risk more and make mistakes at the wrong times, but I think I'm learning from each match and hopefully I'll beat her some time soon.