 Jankovic will become world number one for the second time on Monday |
Jelena Jankovic battled to an impressive win over Venus Williams to reach the final of the Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart on Saturday. Jankovic, who will regain the world number one ranking on Monday, fought back to win 6-7 (8-10) 7-5 6-2 despite struggling with a broken toe nail. The Serb is looking for back-to-back titles after last week's win in China. She will play Nadia Petrova in Sunday's final after the Russian beat Victoria Azarenka, 19, of Belarus 6-4 6-4. Petrova, the 2006 champion, feels her best form is returning after slipping from a high of three in the world rankings two years ago.  | I had to have two injections. I was screaming in pain before the doctor put the needle in |
"I am so excited to be back in the final and playing my best tennis," said the Russian, currently ranked 18th. "All the hard work at the start of the season is paying off. I have got my focus back and I am following a game plan without letting my mind wander." Jankovic has a broken toe nail on her left foot and needed two shots of painkillers to be able to play her semi-final. Williams made the stronger start, earning a succession of break points, but it came down to a tie-break and the American had to save a set point before edging it. | 606: DEBATE |
Jankovic squandered a 3-1 lead in the second set and wasted two break points at 3-3 before making the breakthrough in a tense 11th game, sending a forehand pass down the line while doing her trademark splits. The second seed took charge of the third set, breaking serve for a 2-0 lead before saving one break point in the next game and two more in the fifth. Jankovic held on for 5-2 and an error by Williams gave her two match points, the second of which was converted when Williams put a forehand long. In the end it came down to Williams winning just two of 16 break points, while Jankovic took five of her 11 chances. There was also some controversy in the latter stages as the Serb and her coach in the stands complained to the umpire about the time Williams took between points. "That was a tough game, it's always hard to play Venus," said Jankovic. "I had to run a lot. "I was not sure I would play today because I had to have two injections. I was screaming in pain before the doctor put the needle in."
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