Jelena Jankovic has knocked defending champion Serena Williams out of the Australian Open.
Third seed dumps Williams out of the Australian Open
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.
