SPORTS

Jankovic dashes home and into semi-finals

June 04, 2008 08:42 IST

A quick dash home to Serbia could not stop Jelena Jankovic from setting up a tantalising French Open semi-final showdown with compatriot Ana Ivanovic on Tuesday.

The third seed, who has endured a rash of aches and pains over the past week, flew back to Serbia after her fourth-round match to have treatment on a sore right arm.

On her return, she wasted little time in defeating Spanish qualifier Carla Suarez Navarro 6-3, 6-2.

"I flew by private plane right away to Serbia, so I arrived that night (on Sunday) and I had treatment. I saw my doctors there I've been working with for a long time," Jankovic told a press conference following her win on Tuesday.

"I had more treatment in the morning and flew (back) yesterday, and so I was here in the afternoon. I had a light hit for half an hour to be ready.

"Otherwise, I don't think I would be able to be on the court today, because I was really in a lot of pain."

Unsurprisingly, Jankovic did not want to prolong her stay on Suzanne Lenglen Court longer than necessary.

For the second match in succession, she stepped on court with her right arm heavily strapped. This time though she had a message -- "I love Paris" -- for her French fans written on the tape.

Her patched-up body withstood the test provided by the 132nd-ranked Suarez Navarro.

After blowing her first two match points, Jankovic made no mistake on the third and sealed victory when Suarez Navarro's sliced backhand dropped behind the baseline.

Suarez Navarro's demise ended her bid to become the first women's qualifier to reach the semis at Roland Garros since the game turned professional in 1968.

Source: REUTERS
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