Ana without Jelena’s help for Serbia

Serbia Fed Cup team in problems

Serbia women’s tennis team look likely to enter the Fed Cup clash with Russia in Belgrade deprived of the services of their top player, Jelena Jankovic. Serbia’s women’s number one is currently in Florida, nursing her back injury, and it will become known during the day whether Jankovic is capable of leading the team in the Belgrade Arena.

- “My appearance is doubtful. I still haven’t arrived in Belgrade, I am sill in Florida, battling this back injury I suffered in Melbourne. As I was practicing a new way of serving I got injured during one of the training sessions at the Australian Open,” said Jankovic.
Jankovic says she kept quiet about her injury so that their opponents wouldn’t have additional motivation taking her on.
- “I’ve played 35 Fed Cup matches and won 26. I’ve played carrying an injury and through pain and there have been some tough and beautiful moments. I am now pondering whether I should go through the same experience again as it could be at the expense of my fitness and I could miss months sidelined afterwards,” said the world’s number eight.
If Jankovic does miss out on the Russia tie, it remains to be seen who steps up as a replacement. Bojana Jovanovski is in the best shape of all and should be the odds-on candidate to fill in Jankovic’s shoes, but the final decision on the matter will be reached by team coach Dejan Vranes.
Serbia’s number two Ana Ivanovic has been training with the rest of the team in the Belgrade Arena.
- “I expect a tough match against the Russians. It doesn’t matter what players turn up for Russia, we stand a decent chance. This is World Group of the Fed Cup and there are no easy opponents. We know the atmosphere in the Arena will be tremendous,” said Ivanovic.
Ana believes she has raised her game comparing with her form during 2009.
- “I am happy my form is improving. Of course, there will be bad days but overall things are improving. It’s a process and I know results will eventually come. We now need to focus on our own game. We have the home court advantage and I hope for the best,” said Ivanovic.