Improving Jankovic cruises into semi-finals
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Second seed Jelena Jankovic cruised into the U.S. Open semi-finals with a 6-1 6-4 win over 29th seed Sybille Bammer on Tuesday.
"I'm happy about winning in two sets," Jankovic told reporters, admitting that she had struggled earlier in the tournament. "I feel that every day I'm better and better. I'm moving a lot better. I'm feeling my shots a lot better."
Playing in her first grand slam quarter-final, Austrian Bammer failed to trouble a rock-solid Jankovic who controlled the match from the start.
The 23-year-old Serb was a model of consistency, registering only 14 unforced errors compared with 40 from her opponent.
"In the beginning of the tournament I was really not feeling that great, because I wasn't able to practice," Jankovic said. "I was injured at the Olympics and throughout most of the year.
"So of course I couldn't expect for myself to be at the top of my game and in top shape."
Jankovic, who reached the number one ranking briefly last month and could displace compatriot Ana Ivanovic at the top, has yet to reach a grand slam final having lost in the semis four times, including Flushing Meadows in 2006.
She will meet Olympic champion Elena Dementieva of Russia in the last four.
"Right now I have two days off, which will help me to recover even more, and then do some more work and hopefully I will be ready and try my best for the semi-final," Jankovic said.
"She's a tough player, she's very solid, she moves great," Jankovic said. "I would love to make another step forward and reach my first final of a grand slam."
(Editing by Ed Osmond)
