French Qualifier Tests Jankovic

No. 3 seed Jelena Jankovic underwent a trying test in her third-round match against first-time US Open contender Alize Cornet. But after two hours and 11 minutes of hotly contested rallies, Jankovic survived a scare and escaped with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 victory to secure a spot in the Round of 16.

Cornet, a 17-year-old qualifier from France, definitely proved herself as a young name to look out for in the near future. She gave up five games in her defeat of No. 29 seed Samantha Stosur in the first round before easily eliminating Caroline Wozniacki.

The youngster with a fierce baseline game battled Jankovic in long, heavy baseline rallies throughout the match, often firing winners at will. The two worked each other from the back court until one player created an opportunity to attack and get her opponent out of position to set up a winner.

Jankovic had a tough time getting a grip on the first set and she began losing her mental edge early on by losing her cool and questioning the umpire’s judgment on a few line calls. An early Cornet break put the Frenchwoman on top 2-0.

The two traded breaks for three games before holding the next four. When Jankovic’s groundstroke sailed long on break point at 5-4, the crowd erupted in cheers and appreciation for Cornet’s valiant first-set effort.

Jankovic again became upset with line calls at the beginning of the second, giving the chair umpire an earful after losing the first game. After 1-1, Jankovic broke Cornet three straight times, while Cornet only gained one back to bring the score to 5-2. The 22-year-old Serbian closed it out on her serve to force a third set.

Tied at 2-2, Cornet saved three break points with an attacking net game and down-the-line winners. But Jankovic prevailed with a break and was later broken back at love for 3-3. Jankovic saved a break point to take a 5-3 lead, then took the match when a Cornet drop shot attempt floated wide.

Jankovic, the 2006 semifinalist, will now meet Sybille Bammer in the Round of 16. Bammer took a 6-1, 6-2 win over the No. 14 seed Elena Dementieva Friday afternoon.
 

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