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Ivanovic and Jankovic Propel Serbia into Fed Cup Finals


By Erik Gudris Photo Credit: Natalia Kilesnikova/AFP/Getty Images

Jelena Jankovic - 2012 Fed Cup Semi-Finals(April 22nd, 2012) Serbia can now celebrate yet another milestone in their country's stellar tennis history -- their Fed Cup team is heading to the finals for the first time.

Despite splitting their singles rubbers 1-1 yesterday with Russia, the Serbians were confident they could get the job done today in the reverse singles. Despite many calls for Maria Kirilenko to be subbed into action, it was Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova who once again got tapped for duty as she faced Ana Ivanovic.

For awhile, it looked like Pavlyuchenkova might actually pull out the win as she raced ahead to a 4-0 lead in the first set. But the reality was that Ivanovic was off to a slow start and despite the Russian closing out the first set 6-3, it was Ivanovic who was already making up ground.

Ivanovic broke to open the second set and from there she didn't need to do much as Pavlyuchenkova starting committing error after error while her serve deserted her. The Russian finally hit her first winner of the second set down 0-3 but it was a rare sight as Ivanovic blazed ahead to take the set 6-0.

Another forehand error from the Russian gave Ivanovic an early break in the third and for a moment it looked like a rout was underway. Pavlyuchenkova did steady herself enough to win a few games, but in the end Ivanovic was on form and too confident as she ripped a forehand down the line winner to claim a 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 win to put Serbia up 2-1.

With the second singles rubber featuring Jelena Jankovic versus Svetlana Kuznetsova, there was a sense that anything could happen as the women shared a 5-5 head to head record against each other with Jankovic winning their last meeting in Fed Cup back in 2010.

But when Jankovic fired off a backhand winner to break Kuznetsova early on for a 2-0 lead, it looked like it would be Jankovic's day no matter what Kuznetsova did on the other side of the net. Kuznetsova, after saving several break points against her in a lengthy game, dropped serve again and from there Jankovic easily closed out the first set with the help of 22 unforced errors from Kuznetsova.

Kuznetsova took an extended break but when she came back her frustration only grew as she battled to hold serve, tossing her racquet in anger onto the court at one moment. Kuznetsova finally held and from there jumped out to a 3-0 lead.

But it was the steady baseline play from Jankovic that saw her reclaim the momentum as she broke the Russian with a backhand winner and then reeled off four straight games. Kuznetsova did hold to force Jankovic to serve it out at 5-4 and though both players threw it some nervy points, it was Jankovic who closed out the 6-1, 6-4 victory that sealed the tie for Serbia.

"I have goosebumps now," said a thrilled Jankovic later. "So exciting for us now to be in the finals for us. I'm very happy I was able to get the last point for our team."

Russia won the dead doubles rubber 6-4, 6-0 to end the tie 3-2 in favor of Serbia who will now go on to face the Czechs in the Czech Republic in the Fed Cup finals later this year.

 

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