Player of the week: Jelena Jankovic

After leading the WTA ranking in 2008, Serbian Jelena Jankovic wasn't showing this season the regularity that took her to the #1 and was slowly going down in the ranking. But this week unexpectedly she has showed some of her best tennis again and has captured the title in the big Premier tournament of Cincinnati.


After defeating Maria Kirilenko, Jankovic had her first serious test in the Last-16 round as she defeated WTA #9 Victoria Azarenka in two tight sets. In the quarters, Jankovic avoided a potential meeting with Serena Williams as Williams was upsetted by Sybille Bammer, who was sweeped by Jankovic by 6/0 6/3. In the semifinal Jankovic faced great fighter and WTA #4 Elena Dementieva and the match didn't dissapoint. After winning a close 1st set in the tie-break, Jankovic lost her focus and was sweeped in the 2nd by Dementieva by 6/0. But Jankovic was able to get back into the match and the tight 3rd set was decided in a thrilling tie-break captured by the Serbian. The final looked another tough match against WTA #1 Dinara Safina, but it was easier than expected for Jankovic who won by 6/4 6/2.


We are happy to have the best Jankovic back, as the Tour definitively needs all the best players playing at their best. If she can play consistently, she will have her chances at the US Open.