Jelena Jankovic (2) vs. Serena Williams (4)
Head-to-head: Jelena 3, Serena 3
Last meeting: Miami '08 final (hard), Serena 6-1, 5-7, 6-3
Head-to-head: Jelena 3, Serena 3
Last meeting: Miami '08 final (hard), Serena 6-1, 5-7, 6-3
We've reached the final Grand Slam match of the 2008 WTA Tour season and we'll have a fourth different lady baller to join Maria Sharapova, Ana Ivanovic, and Venus Williams as major champions this year. But that's not all: the winner will also move into the WTA penthouse as the top lady baller. Fun, huh?!
Second seeded Jelena Jankovic will be going for her first Grand Slam title when she takes on fourth seed Serena Williams, who will try to tie the legendary Monica Seles with 9 Grand Slams, for the US Open championship.
How they got here: JJ covered the court beautifully in her 6-4, 6-4 defeat of Russian Elena Dementieva chasing down seeming winners and forcing errors - 42 for the Russian against only 22 for JJ - out of the gold medalist. In breezy conditions, ReRe out-steadied Dinara Safina and stomped all over the frustrated Russian 6-2, 6-3.
The last meeting for these lady ballers was in the spring when ReRe defeated the Serb 6-1, 5-7, 6-3 for her fifth title in Miami continuing her 15-match win streak at the time.
Here's what JJ had to say about facing ReRe again:
This year we are 1‑1. I beat her at the Australian Open; she beat me in Miami in three sets. So it will be a tough match. She's a powerful player. She loves to play here at the Open, but so do I. I love being here. I love the atmosphere.ReRe had this to say about the challenge the second seed brings to the court:
I don't know too many people on the tour that can hang in there as much as she can, and it's definitely ‑‑ she's playing well, and she's just going for glory here...Outlook: JJ has shown throughout this fortnight that she will defend all day long forcing her opponents into errors and taking her chances when the ball is short. But she's never been a mental giant on the court and the pressure of appearing in her first major final may rattle the Serb's nerves.
But seriously, this match rests on ReRe's racquet. If she's focused, and no doubt she will be, she has the better overall game - power, movement, groundstrokes, serve - and experience to earn her ninth major championship.
And I believe she will.
(images via Getty)
Agree overall on the analysis, although there may be a contributing mental factor for JJ's potential to win...this is a extremely important match for her on a couple levels. The majority of course expect Serena to win, but ?
ReplyDeleteBy the way, nice blog, you've just been added to the t3nnis.net forum and tennis web directory.
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I agree...its all on serena's racket...if she plays her game, she will win...I mean honestly I think her and Venus,(when at the top of their game) are unbeatable....
ReplyDeleteI also agree. Jelena's game is such that she gets loads of balls back and is great in keeping rallies going. But she also relies on her opponent making the first mistake. It really depends on how well Serena plays today, because Jelena is very consistent. Good luck to both!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Serena! The William sisters are pretty awesome. 12/13 years after turning pro they're still out there winning Grand Slams.
ReplyDeleteI've never paid much attention to Jelena but I find her pretty annoying and so did Mary Carillo I think LOL! Why did she keep interrupting the presentation ceremony. And constantly looking at herself on the monitor? I know she loves the spotlight but c'mon girl.
-Lisa