Post by Beach Police on May 18, 2008 20:31:29 GMT -5
Jankovic successfully defends Rome title
Posted on Sun, May. 18, 2008Digg del.icio.us AIM print email
By Sports Network
Fourth-seeded Serbian Jelena Jankovic defeated French qualifier Alize Cornet in straight sets Sunday at the $1.34 million Italian Open, a clay-court French Open tuneup.
Jankovic successfully defended a title for the first time in her career with a dominant 6-2, 6-2 victory over the 18-year-old Cornet in just under one hour and 30 minutes. Jankovic captured this event last year by beating Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova in the finale.
"I like playing on clay courts," said Jankovic. "I had a great clay court season last year, and then playing here and winning this tournament twice gives me a lot of confidence for the rest of the tournaments."
The 23-year-old took home her sixth career WTA title and her first since winning in Birmingham at the DFS Classic in June of last year. She also earned $196,900 with the victory.
Jankovic's best previous finish this year was a loss to Serena Williams in the Miami final last month.
Cornet was no match for a rested Jankovic, who earned a spot in the final via a walkover in her semifinal match Saturday against second-seeded Maria Sharapova. The newly-appointed world No. 1 Sharapova withdrew due to a left calf strain.
Jankovic saved 9-of-12 break points and converted 7-of-9 break points against Cornet's serve.
Despite the loss, Cornet was the tournament sensation with her stellar play all week. She downed sixth-seeded Russian Anna Chakvetadze 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in her semifinal match on Saturday. Cornet was slated to face the fifth-seeded Williams in a quarterfinal match on Friday, but Williams pulled out due to a back injury. Cornet made her mark in this year's tournament when she defeated world No. 5 Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-2, 6-4 in the third round.
"Just to be in the final was the most exciting experience of my life," Cornet remarked. "I knew Jelena could be the most difficult player to play because she moves very well and it's really hard to make winners. Now I'm disappointed but it was a great week for me, for sure."
This was Cornet's second career appearance in a final. She dropped the finale in Acapulco earlier this year to Flavia Pennetta.
Cornet was the second qualifier to reach a Tour singles final this year. In February, qualifier Nuria Llagostera Vives won the singles title at Bogota.
This was the second meeting between Cornet and Jankovic. Their first came in the third round at the 2007 U.S. Open, where Jankovic prevailed in three sets.
Posted on Sun, May. 18, 2008Digg del.icio.us AIM print email
By Sports Network
Fourth-seeded Serbian Jelena Jankovic defeated French qualifier Alize Cornet in straight sets Sunday at the $1.34 million Italian Open, a clay-court French Open tuneup.
Jankovic successfully defended a title for the first time in her career with a dominant 6-2, 6-2 victory over the 18-year-old Cornet in just under one hour and 30 minutes. Jankovic captured this event last year by beating Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova in the finale.
"I like playing on clay courts," said Jankovic. "I had a great clay court season last year, and then playing here and winning this tournament twice gives me a lot of confidence for the rest of the tournaments."
The 23-year-old took home her sixth career WTA title and her first since winning in Birmingham at the DFS Classic in June of last year. She also earned $196,900 with the victory.
Jankovic's best previous finish this year was a loss to Serena Williams in the Miami final last month.
Cornet was no match for a rested Jankovic, who earned a spot in the final via a walkover in her semifinal match Saturday against second-seeded Maria Sharapova. The newly-appointed world No. 1 Sharapova withdrew due to a left calf strain.
Jankovic saved 9-of-12 break points and converted 7-of-9 break points against Cornet's serve.
Despite the loss, Cornet was the tournament sensation with her stellar play all week. She downed sixth-seeded Russian Anna Chakvetadze 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in her semifinal match on Saturday. Cornet was slated to face the fifth-seeded Williams in a quarterfinal match on Friday, but Williams pulled out due to a back injury. Cornet made her mark in this year's tournament when she defeated world No. 5 Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-2, 6-4 in the third round.
"Just to be in the final was the most exciting experience of my life," Cornet remarked. "I knew Jelena could be the most difficult player to play because she moves very well and it's really hard to make winners. Now I'm disappointed but it was a great week for me, for sure."
This was Cornet's second career appearance in a final. She dropped the finale in Acapulco earlier this year to Flavia Pennetta.
Cornet was the second qualifier to reach a Tour singles final this year. In February, qualifier Nuria Llagostera Vives won the singles title at Bogota.
This was the second meeting between Cornet and Jankovic. Their first came in the third round at the 2007 U.S. Open, where Jankovic prevailed in three sets.