Jankovic, known for her bright smile, acrobatic splits and remarkably consistent tennis game, has never won a major tennis tournament
but has performed more consistently than any other WTA Tour player this year. And as the WTA Tour rankings count only a player's best
17 tournaments, Jankovic heavily benefits from the rankings system which rewards frequent tour play.
Jankovic's win today versus Petrova appeared somewhat anti-climatic after her comeback semifinal win yesterday over Wimbledon champion Venus Williams of the USA 6-7(8-10), 7-5, 6-2. With Williams serving at 7-6, 5-6, it looked like the match would be over after two games.
Today's title is the Serb's eighth career singles title. Jankovic, 23, who briefly held the number one ranking for one week in August, also took the singles title in Rome in May at the Italian Open.
A picture of consistency, Jankovic this year has reach the quarterfinals or better in all but one of her 19 tournaments played. At Wimbledon Jankovic lost in the round of sixteen.
This year Jankovic recorded 8 quarterfinal finishes, 5 semifinal finishes, 2 final finishes and three tournament wins. And despite never winning a major tournament, this year at the Australian Open, the French Open and the US Open, Jankovic lost only to the eventual champion at each event; Maria Sharapova of Russia, Ana Ivanovic of Serbia and Serena Williams respectively.
Jankovic scored some measure of major tournament success as last year she teamed with Jamie Murray of Britain to win the Wimbledon mixed doubles title.
Having conquered winning WTA Tour tournaments, Jankovic set two new goals for herself: winning a major tournament and ending the year as the world number one player. And while Jankovic will need to wait until 2009 for another chance at a major tournament win, the year end number one ranking is well within her reach.
“I feel tired now, but mentally I am not tired, I am hungry to do well, Jankovic said. “I want to finish the year as number one.”
Share on Facebook: 
