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Jankovic advances at French Open
By The Associated Press
Monday, May 26, 2008 | No comments posted.
PARIS — Jelena Jankovic got a little love from the net to help her beat Monica Niculescu 7-6 (3), 6-2 today and advance to the second round of the French Open.
Leading 4-2 in the first-set tiebreaker, last year’s French Open semifinalist had a drop volley hit the top of the net and roll along the tape before falling into the opposite court.
The third-seeded Jankovic put her hand up as if to say, “Sorry.” The Serb then bent down and kissed the white tape.
In the second set, Jankovic lost her serve after breaking her Romanian opponent in the opening game, then dominated rest of the match. But she had more trouble in the first set, despite jumping out to a 3-0 lead.
“She hit quite good drop shots and I got a little bit confused, because, first of all, I didn’t know her game, I didn’t know how she plays, and I didn’t know what to expect from her,” Jankovic said. “And then I started making some errors and I lost my rhythm a little bit.”
The 20-year-old Niculescu was making her debut at Roland Garros after losing in the first round at the Australian Open in her first major tournament.
Top-ranked Roger Federer, trying to complete a career Grand Slam, was playing Sam Querrey of the United States, and No. 2 Rafael Nadal was to start his quest for a fourth straight French Open title against Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil.
On the women’s side: Venus Williams and Amelie Mauresmo were scheduled to play.
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia, the youngest person in the singles tournament at 16, advanced to the second round by beating Maria Emilia Salerni of Argentina 6-1, 6-1. No. 12 Agnes Szavay of Hungary and No. 32 Karin Knapp of Italy also advanced.
No. 17 Marco Baghdatis, the 2006 Australian Open runner-up, lost to Simone Bolelli of Italy 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 in the first round of the men’s draw.
“That’s the way it is. That’s tennis,” said Baghdatis, who was returning to the game after more than a month off for personal reasons. “He played better than I did today.”
Tommy Robredo, the 12th-seeded player, rallied to beat Guillermo Coria 5-7, 6-4, 6-1, 6-4 on center court.
Serena Williams can be a perfectionist when it comes to her tennis game.
After winning 12 of the final 13 games to beat Ashley Harkleroad 6-2, 6-1 Sunday in the first round of the French Open, the eight-time Grand Slam champion was happy enough to just get the win.
“I feel like I ultimately could have played better,” Williams said. “But first round — just want to get it over with and work your way in the tournament.”
The fifth-seeded Serena Williams, the only woman in the field who has won the clay-court major, had a 10-0 edge in aces and reeled off eight straight points while trailing 2-1 in the first set.
Two-time Grand Slam finalist Ana Ivanovic also advanced, beating Sofia Arvidsson 6-2, 7-5.
Other winners on the opening day of the clay-court major included Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic, David Nalbandian, Andy Murray and James Blake. But the men’s tournament was more defined by someone who lost — three-time champion Gustavo Kuerten (see note below).
Leading 4-2 in the first-set tiebreaker, last year’s French Open semifinalist had a drop volley hit the top of the net and roll along the tape before falling into the opposite court.
The third-seeded Jankovic put her hand up as if to say, “Sorry.” The Serb then bent down and kissed the white tape.
In the second set, Jankovic lost her serve after breaking her Romanian opponent in the opening game, then dominated rest of the match. But she had more trouble in the first set, despite jumping out to a 3-0 lead.
“She hit quite good drop shots and I got a little bit confused, because, first of all, I didn’t know her game, I didn’t know how she plays, and I didn’t know what to expect from her,” Jankovic said. “And then I started making some errors and I lost my rhythm a little bit.”
The 20-year-old Niculescu was making her debut at Roland Garros after losing in the first round at the Australian Open in her first major tournament.
Top-ranked Roger Federer, trying to complete a career Grand Slam, was playing Sam Querrey of the United States, and No. 2 Rafael Nadal was to start his quest for a fourth straight French Open title against Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil.
On the women’s side: Venus Williams and Amelie Mauresmo were scheduled to play.
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia, the youngest person in the singles tournament at 16, advanced to the second round by beating Maria Emilia Salerni of Argentina 6-1, 6-1. No. 12 Agnes Szavay of Hungary and No. 32 Karin Knapp of Italy also advanced.
No. 17 Marco Baghdatis, the 2006 Australian Open runner-up, lost to Simone Bolelli of Italy 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 in the first round of the men’s draw.
“That’s the way it is. That’s tennis,” said Baghdatis, who was returning to the game after more than a month off for personal reasons. “He played better than I did today.”
Tommy Robredo, the 12th-seeded player, rallied to beat Guillermo Coria 5-7, 6-4, 6-1, 6-4 on center court.
Serena Williams can be a perfectionist when it comes to her tennis game.
After winning 12 of the final 13 games to beat Ashley Harkleroad 6-2, 6-1 Sunday in the first round of the French Open, the eight-time Grand Slam champion was happy enough to just get the win.
“I feel like I ultimately could have played better,” Williams said. “But first round — just want to get it over with and work your way in the tournament.”
The fifth-seeded Serena Williams, the only woman in the field who has won the clay-court major, had a 10-0 edge in aces and reeled off eight straight points while trailing 2-1 in the first set.
Two-time Grand Slam finalist Ana Ivanovic also advanced, beating Sofia Arvidsson 6-2, 7-5.
Other winners on the opening day of the clay-court major included Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic, David Nalbandian, Andy Murray and James Blake. But the men’s tournament was more defined by someone who lost — three-time champion Gustavo Kuerten (see note below).
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