Jelena Jankovic

[sonya]

JANKOVIC LEADS SEEDS' PROGRESS

In-form Jelena Jankovic led a host of seeds into the second round of the Australian Open on Monday.

The Serb has been well backed to win the title after beginning the season with a run of nine straight victories, winning the ASB Classic in Auckland along the way.

Jankovic had few problems against Canada's Aleksandra Wozniak, winning 6-3 6-3 in just 58 minutes.

The 21-year-old said: "One year makes a big difference and I think I'm older now. I think I'm more mature.

"I just am improving and getting better and better and that's the biggest difference."

Jankovic also praised Wozniak for her performance, despite the fact the Canadian fell in straight sets.

"She [Wozniak] was a good player, but it's always tough for me the first round because you never know how you'll play.

"It's another tournament. I played so much in the last couple of weeks. I had 10 matches in 11 days and didn't have much rest, but I'm happy that I won today and I hope to keep going."

Tenth seed Nicole Vaidisova didn't have things all her own way though and needed three sets to see off Jill Craybas.

The American levelled the match by taking a tight second set, but the Czech teenager pulled away in the decider to post a 6-4 5-7 6-1 triumph.

Francesca Schiavone (14) and Shahar Peer (16) were both straight sets winners.

Schiavone beat Sandra Kloesel 6-4 6-4, while Peer knocked out Romina Oprandi 6-1 6-3.

[Annie]

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 16: Jelena Jankovic of Serbia enjoys a day at St Kilda beach on day two of the Australian Open 2007 on January 16, 2007 in Melbourne, Australia

[uranus]

There's a short interview with Jelena in one Serbian newspaper, she says "I don't have a boyfriend, I like Marat Safin"

Who doesn't?

[Annie]

Funny you mention it, I was watching The Greatest Match of the Century the other day - the AO 2005 semifinal between Roger and Marat and only now realised that Jankovic was at that match ;D

[maribrasil]

[yarina]

The olympic series - JJ as a gymnast:

[safin4eva]

Nice pic of Jelena.!! Thanks yarina

Some fanastic news for the new World #1 of Womens Tennis:

Jankovic To Attain No.1 Ranking on August 11, 2008




ST. PETERSBURG, FL, USA – The Sony Ericsson WTA Tour will crown Jelena Jankovic as the new world No.1 when the official rankings are published on Monday, August 11, a week from this coming Monday.

Jankovic will replace Serbian compatriot Ana Ivanovic, who will have held No.1 for nine weeks from June 9 to August 10, 2008. Ivanovic was the first player representing Serbia to become No.1, with Jankovic now following right behind. The two are projected to be in close competition the next few weeks for the top ranking, with eight points separating them come August 11 - Jankovic is projected to have 3620 points on those rankings, and Ivanovic 3612 points.

Jankovic ascends to the pinnacle of women's professional tennis after a 12-month display of impressive and consistently successful results. Over the course of the past year, Jankovic has won the Tier I title in Rome, reached finals at Toronto (2007), Beijing (2007) and Miami (2008) and six semifinals, including two of the three Grand Slams so far this year (Australian Open, Roland Garros).

"Since I was a young girl, it has been my dream to become No.1 in the world," Jankovic said. "When you get older, at least one day you can say you were No.1 and no one can take that away from you. You are in the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour history books and it's a great achievement."

At 23 years, 5 months and 13 days, Jankovic will become the 18th top-ranked player in women's tennis history, joining Chris Evert, Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Martina Navratilova, Tracy Austin, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Justine Henin, Kim Clijsters, Jennifer Capriati, Arantxa Sánchez-Vicario, Monica Seles, Amélie Mauresmo, Steffi Graf, Martina Hingis, Lindsay Davenport, Maria Sharapova and Ana Ivanovic.

"Jelena has had a fantastic year and displayed incredible grit and determination," stated Sony Ericsson WTA Tour CEO Larry Scott. "In addition to her tremendous talent and skill on the tennis court, Jelena also finds a special way to entertain and engage her fans, adding a unique spark and personality to our sport that is appreciated worldwide. Jelena's success adds another milestone for Serbian tennis and I am sure we will continue to witness great achievements by her."

"We are delighted to congratulate Jelena on the brilliant achievement of becoming No.1," remarked Aldo Liguori, Corporate VP and Head of Global Communications & PR, Sony Ericsson. "She joins a distinguished list of players who have held the top spot. Sony Ericsson is proud to be associated with the ongoing success of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour as it continues to raise the profile of women's tennis."

Jankovic began defining herself as a potential No.1 two years ago, when she labored past a string of 10 consecutive losses and a ranking drop to No.38 in the middle of the year. She successfully turned the season around and vaulted to No.12 by year end. Since then, the Serbian has been a consistent figure in the Top 10, securely staying inside the elite since February 26, 2007. Her season-ending ranking has improved from No.194 (in 2002), to No.85 (in 2003), to No.28 (in 2004), to No.22 (in 2005), to No.12 (2006) and to No.3 (in 2007).

-Sony Ericsson WTA OS

[Annie]

Jelena and her boyfriend Mladen Janovic (in case she decides to marry him all she needs to do is drop one letter LOL) in a photoshoot for Serbian Hello magazine ;D

[Annie]

I agree, it's such a fake photoshoot He is from Montenegro and is a water polo player