Jankovic eases Serena out

Jankovic: Ecstasy

I want to be healthy and I want to play without pain but then again when I have pain I seem to focus more.

Jelena Jankovic
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Jelena Jankovic has knocked defending champion Serena Williams out of the Australian Open courtesy of a 6-3 6-4 victory.

The third seed gave a sterling performance at the Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday to book her place in the semi-finals of the season's opening Grand Slam for the first time.

Serbian Jankovic broke the former world number one in the fifth game of the first set to earn a 3-2 lead and she never looked back.

Williams, struggling with a blister on the end of her toe, never looked comfortable and quickly went 2-0 down in the second set.

Drama

She broke back immediately and made it 3-2 before both players took time out for medical treatment.

Despite returning to the court with her thigh strapped Jankovic held her service game to make it 3-3.

Jankovic then converted the first of two break points to go 4-3 ahead and Williams was eventually worn down.

At 5-4 two double faults from the defending champion handed Jankovic match point and Williams' wide forehand then ensured the 22-year-old a spot in the last four of a Grand Slam for only the third time.

Battle

Jankovic has been batting a thigh injury since the Hopman Cup in Perth at the turn of the year and admits her efforts are starting to take their toll.

"I'm like a wounded animal, I still keep going," she said. "The most important thing is that I fight on the court and I always give my best and I never give up.

"I don't have any big injuries but I have pains and soreness in many places.

"And when it was 3-2 in the second set and I felt a sharp pain in my quad, it was like a knife went in my leg.

"I want to be healthy and I want to play without pain but then again when I have pain I seem to focus more."

The Serb will hope to continue her fine form against either top seed Justine Henin or fifth seed Maria Sharapova in the semi-finals.