Jelena Jankovic – Challenges by a Millimeter

Jankovic Video Rating: 4 / 5[/random]

Venus Williams Partners Sister to Doubles Glory

Serena Williams is not content with less of anything – this popular adage about the younger of the Williams sister proved to be true once again as she returned to partner her older sister Venus Williams less than 5 hours after clinching her 5^th singles title Wimbledon to win the doubles title as well. The Williams sisters defeated the Czech pair of Lucie Hradecka and Andrea Hlavackova 7-5, 6-4 in the final at the centre court of the All England Club.

This is the fifth doubles title that the sisters have won together at the most famous Grand Slam event of the tennis calendar and it came just hours after Venus Williams was witness to her younger sister lifting her fifth singles title at centre court. Read more »

Inside Tennis: Episode 2

Jankovic Movie Ranking: four / five[/random]

First Round Exit

Jelena Jankovic’s Number 1 days seem a millions miles away as she’s ousted in first round at Wimbledon.

It is fair to say that Jankovic’s tennis career has seen better days. 2008 saw her at the top of her game, and of the tennis world, but since then her performances have slowly deteriorated as she’s had to step aside for the likes of Sharapova, Azarenka and Kvitova to shine at the top.

Although this year she managed to reach the quarter finals at Brisbane, she made a hasty exit from Sydney and the Australian Open not managing to make an impact at either. Following this, she had to withdraw from Paris due to a thigh injury and relinquished any chance of succeeding at Doha as she was defeated in the first round.

Her Wimbledon efforts this year were just as disappointing. Faced against Clijsters of Belgium in the first round, Jankovic could have expected a tough but attainable win, yet Clijster took control of the game from the onset. The first set was taken by the Belgium 6-2; an effortless performance which Jankovic was unable to restrain. The second set saw an improved attempt from Jankovic, and she took four games, however this was in vein as Clijster stormed through and won the second set 6-4.

Jankovic must now elicit the aspects of her game-plan that are causing a decline to her confidence and ability to win. This is integral if she is to contend with her rivals, to champion at another tournament and to regain that number one spot. Currently without a coach, achieving any of these goals is an onerous feat, especially when battling with such strong, driven and passionate players.

Stuttgart 2010 QF Justine Henin Vs Jelena Jankovic 2/10

Jankovic Video Ranking: 5 / 5[/random]

Jankovic needs to recover

Jelena Jankoivic will be hoping to put some poor performances behind her after  the Sixth seed Serbian was defeated in the first round of the Brussels Open by Simona Halep. The former world number one suffered a fourth first-round loss on clay this year when she fell in an epic match which ended 6-2 3-6 7-6(3). During the game Jankovic wasted three match points.

Jankovic served five double faults and was broken seven times, losing despite having more break point opportunities than her opponent. Jankoivic now world number 21 has had a severe fall from grace since winning the Wimbledon mixed doubles in 2007 and reaching the final of the US open in 2008. Since then she has seen a number of ‘almost’ tournaments and more recently has failed to reach the back end of the important tournaments.

Jankoivic remains positive on her chances of success in Paris. Last year saw her loose to then defending champion Francesca Schiavone, which saw her leave the women’s top 10. With a poor record in the Wimbledon singles with a first round knock out last year, many have her down with only a outside chance for success in Paris of Wimbledon.

If Jankoivic fails to make an impact in Paris she may well find herself well down in the seeds come Wimbledon so it is imperative she has a good tournament. She will be happy to finally not have to play on clay which has been her unfavoured court type and the host of many of her worst performances. If her bad performance continues through the summer we may well see the twenty eight year old falling off the tennis radar for some time.