Jelena Jankovic became the dark horse of  Venus Williams in this year’s edition of The Championships sending the American defending champion back home earlier than expected in a tough three set battle.
During the 57 minute first set players traded breaks once only, eventually heading to a tiebreak, but not before Williams failign to convert on a set point at 5-4, on Jankovic’s serve. In the tiebreak the Serbian just edged Willaims winning it 10-8.

In the second set Williams reduced her unforced errors count gaingin some practical results with it as she leveled the match at one set a piece by winning the second set 6-4.

However, and in spite of winning a 2-0 lead in the final set, Williams was tormented again by her wild game and in the 4th game game was back at the starting stage at 2 all. From there on Jankovic raced to a 5-3 lead. Venus would still steal a game but on her 4th match point Jelena got yet another free point from Venus as the American crashed a forehand into the net.

After winning the match Jankovic could barely believe herself and stated: “I’m so excited I won this match,”.  “I just wanted to go out on the court and give my maximum and just enjoy the play. At the end, I was just so nervous. It felt like the racquet was 30 pounds. It was just such a strange feeling. But I was telling myself just to hang in there and hopefully I will pull it out.”
“It’s not like you’ll beat a defending champion, a champion like Venus, every day. I mean, it’s a huge win.”

Venus was particularly  upbeat but still acknowledged she was disappointed with her defeat: “I had opportunities but unfortunately she played some good tennis,” Williams stated. “I’ll keep working hard ’cause I feel very positive about my game. Will it be hard to put this behind me? I hate losing, obviously; I’m used to winning, especially here. But as long as I’m healthy, I’ll be around next year, and for the next tournament.”

Jankovic also acknowledged she had been losign interest in tennis due to her losing streak in the beginnign of the year: “There came a moment when I thought I really don’t enjoy to play tennis any more,” said Jankovic, who has been busy with University studies. “But I’ve really changed my thinking. After this bad period I learned a lot. It was a big experience for me, a learning experience. I just became stronger as a player and as a person as well.”

As for Williams loss it marks the first time this millenium and century that the finals of The Championships won’t feature at least one of the Williams sisters, ending a traditon that has bee lasting for 6 years now.