Jankovic Wins Italian Open

I know this happened yesterday which makes me way late in talking about it, but I couldn’t let it slip completely by without acknowledging Jelena Jankovic’s title win at the Italian Open. Jankovic downed Alize Cornet 6-2, 6-2 in the final to defend her championship title from a year ago.

I watched some of this match on TV and I was struck again by Jankovic’s ability to shake n’ bake on clay courts. She’s good. So her serve is weak, but the girl has athleticism and there is no denying that.

And how about Cornet? Where’d she come from? The kid did well. She was no match for Jankovic, but Jankovic is a top-ranked player for a reason. I think we’ll be seeing Cornet again, no doubt.

With Justine Henin out of the picture (well, even when she was still in it), I thought Jankovic had a legitimate chance at making a deep run at the French Open. Maybe not winning the whole she-bang, but I thought she could definitely make the semis, maybe the finals. Now I’m going to be beyond disappointed if Jankovic doesn’t make it to the finals, and I think she’s a real contender to take the title.

Am I going out on a limb? Ah, who knows. The way my luck runs, I’ll have just jinxed Jelena and she’ll get toasted in the first or second round.

(Image: Newscom)
Jelena Jankovic flashes her pearly whites while hoisting her Italian Open trophy.