Jankovic upbeat despite Melbourne misery

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:15

Jankovic’s exit paves the way for the three players ranked immediately below her to take the coveted top spot. If any of Serena Williams, Dinara Safina or Elena Dementieva win the tournament they will take top spot but with Safina having less ranking points to defend she has a chance to go top even if she only reaches the semi-finals. Williams and Dementieva must reach the final in order to stand a chance of becoming world number one.

But Jankovic is unconcerned and said: “It doesn’t matter because it’s just the beginning of the year and there are many more tournaments to play.”

Jelena Dokic dug deep and overcame a twisted ankle to upset 29th seed Alisa Kleybanova 7-5 5-7 8-6 in a shade over three hours.

Dokic has been the story of the tournament so far after battling back from depression to reclaim her place in the hearts of her adopted nation.

“To come after a three-year layoff and to be in the quarter-finals of a grand slam straightaway really gives you a lot confidence,” she said after reaching the last eight of a grand slam for the first time since the 2002 French Open.

Dokic has been taken to three sets in all of her matches so far and admitted after such a long time away from competition it was beginning to take its toll.

“I really struggled physically tonight. I was really on my last reserves. She really had me in that third set. To come out and pull it out was great.”

Safina survived two match points on her way to a 6-2 2-6 7-5 win against Alize Cornet, and a place in the quarter-finals in Melbourne for the first time.

Seventh seed Vera Zvonareva will play Bartoli in the quarter-finals after defeating fellow Russian Nadia Petrova 7-5 6-4.

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