Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Jelena Jankovic

Jelena Janković (born February 28, 1985 in Belgrade) is a former World No. 1 Serbian professional tennis player. She was runner up at the 2008 US Open and currently ranked World No. 7.

In October 2003, Janković entered the top 100 at No. 90 for the first time after winning her first ITF title in Dubai. Three months later, Janković garnered her first top 10 win against Elena Dementieva 6–1, 6–4 in the first round of the 2004 Australian Open. In May, Janković won her first WTA title, a Tier V event, in Budapest, defeating Martina Suchá in the final 7–6, 6–3. Following her win in Budapest, she reached No. 51 in the world. Elsewhere in her 2004 season, she defeated top 20 players Nadia Petrova (twice), Vera Zvonareva, Patty Schnyder and Paola Suárez. Janković finished 2004 ranked No. 28 in the world.

She was ranked World No. 1 for seventeen consecutive weeks until she was overtaken by Serena Williams on February 2, 2009. She was the year-end World No. 1 in 2008, the second player in the history of the WTA tour to do this without winning a Grand Slam title, after Kim Clijsters.

Janković has reached the singles final of the US Open and the singles semifinals of the Australian Open and the French Open. In 2007, she became the first Serbian player to win a Grand Slam Title when she won the Wimbledon mixed doubles title with British partner Jamie Murray.
Janković is one of only seven players who won both Williams sisters at the same tournament.

Jelena Janković is often regarded as one of the fittest and toughest players in recent years of women's tennis for her great defensive abilities and footwork, which classifies her as a counterpuncher. Jelena is known for being one of the few players who can slide on all surfaces. Janković has very consistent ground strokes and likes to go down the line more often than crosscourt. Her signature shot is her two-handed backhand down the line; she hits it with excellent pace and can drive it deep for an outright winner. She also has a solid forehand and a decent net game, being able to hit effective drive, drop and swinging volleys. Her main weakness was her serve but during off season 2009-2010 she changed her serve motion to produce more power and that work out. She likes to spin it in on the first and second serve which can lead to her getting broken many times in matches. Her weakest surface is considered grass despite her DFS title. Her best surface is a fast hard court ( like US open courts) where she can use her excellent timing and speed to win matches



statics
Country : Yugoslavia (2000-2003)
Serbia and Montenegro(2003–2006)
Serbia (2006–present)
Residence : Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Date of birth : February 28, 1985 (1985-02-28) (age 25)
Place of birth : Belgrade, Serbia (then SFR Yugoslavia)
Height : 1.77 m (5 ft 9 1⁄2 in)
Weight : 59 kg (130 lb; 9.3 st)
Turned pro : February 6, 2000
Plays : Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money : US$11,136,225