Jankovic Beats Ivanovic In Rival Match

Wednesday was all about the battle between two Serbian women. One that has stayed in the top ten and who is in fine form and one who has slipped down the rankings but seems rejuvenated under a new coach.

The match had been given more hype than usual after Jelena Jankovic's comments about Ana Ivanovic over the 22 year-old missing Serbia's crucial Federations Cup match last month. Jankovic claimed that they only speak when they have to and are not the best of friends.

In terms of head-to-heads, Ivanovic is ahead but the second round of the Madrid Open saw Jankovic beat her compatriot 4-6, 6-4, 6-1. Ivanovic showed signs of her old self, taking the first set, but Jankovic was able to close the second and break her opponent three times to take the final set in an error strewn match.

There were 19 service breaks throughout and Ivanovic had led the second set 2-0 before Jankovic started to raise her game and reduce the errors, taking the second set. Jankovic was then able to take a 4-0 lead in the third after Ivanovic was still contemplating the missed chances in the second.

Ivanovic will be disappointed with the result but she knows that making her way back up the rankings will take time. However, she is in good spirits going into Roland Garros and will be someone who top ten players may not want to face in earlier rounds. Jankovic however, looks very strong  on clay and will be a tough challenger in Paris and here in Madrid.

After the match, Ivanovic said that she wasn't going to put pressure on herself in returning to the top ten and that she thinks her game has improved even more in Madrid after her semi-final showing in Rome. Having the match almost in her grasp against another top ten player will be a confidence boost in itself.

Jankovic, however was more down on her performance, claiming that she was a long way off the way she had been playing in Rome but she is trying to stay positive.