Jelena Jankovic of Serbia is a 2008 former Ladies World No. 1 and US Open finalist. Because of her volatile on-court personality, one never quite knows “which” Jelena will turn up on the day. She is extremely competitive and vocal on court, often blowing off hot and cold air at her coach/brother, Marko Jankovic.
Her opponent today was the defending champion and second seed, Petra Kvitova. Going into the tournament, Kvitova was considered as the one person who could possibly stop Serena Williams from winning her 21st Grand Slam title.
Kvitova, who sailed through her first two matches, continued her good form in the first set, veering play away from the powerful Jankovic backhand. With a single break of Jankovic’s serve, Kvitova won the first set and was up in the second set, when out of nowhere, something went wrong and Kvitova found herself on the back foot and serving to stay in the set. Jankovic got the upper hand and forced the decider.
Kvitova took an extended bathroom break in the third set. When play resumed, she still seemed edgy and it showed especially in the continued unraveling of her usually reliable serve. There were two pivotal moments in the third set – the first during the fourth game when Kvitova brilliantly volleyed the ball cross court to win the point and it seemed as though the champion was pulling herself together. The second, and one that will surely haunt her for awhile, was when she questioned a line call which she had already won. The writing was now on the wall and Jankovic broke Kvitova’s serve for a 3-6 7-5 6-4 win.
Jankovic will now face Agnieszka Radwanska, who defeated the Australian, Casey Dellacqua 6-1 6-4.
There were also wins for Caroline Wozniacki, Garbine Muguruza, Timea Bacsinszky and Madison Keys.
In the Men’s draw, Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Marin Cilic and Tomas Berdych all advanced.
Viktor Troicki ended a very spirited Dustin Brown’s run with a 6-4 7-6 4-6 6-3 win.
Ivo Karlovic caused the only upset in the Men’s draw when he defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6 4-6 7-6 7-6.