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'''Jelena Janković''' ({{lang-sr|Јелена Јанковић}}, {{pronounced|ˈjɛlɛna 'jaːnkɔviʨ}}; ne February 28, 1985) is a [[Serbia]]n [[professional]] tennis player. She was ranked [[List of WTA number 1 ranked players|World No. 1]] for seventeen consecutive weeks until she was overtaken by [[Serena Williams]] on February 2, 2009. She was the year-end World No. 1 in 2008. As of April 6, 2009, she is ranked World No. 4.
'''Jelena Janković''' ({{lang-sr|Јелена Јанковић}}, {{pronounced|ˈjɛlɛna 'jaːnkɔviʨ}}; ne February 28, 1985) is a [[Serbia]]n [[professional]] tennis player. She was ranked [[List of WTA number 1 ranked players|World No. 1]] for seventeen consecutive weeks until she was overtaken by [[Serena Williams]] on February 2, 2009. She was the year-end World No. 1 in 2008, making her the worst ever player to achieve the year-end No. 1 ranking. As of April 6, 2009, she is ranked World No. 4, but she is a chronic underachiever known for choking on the big stage against elite players. Due to her incredible ugliness and resemblance to a horse, she is known by the nickname of "Horseface."


Janković has reached the singles final of the [[U.S. Open (tennis)|US Open]] and the singles semifinals of the [[Australian Open]] and the [[French Open]]. In 2007, she won the [[2007 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]] mixed doubles title with British partner [[Jamie Murray]].
Horseface has reached the singles final of the [[U.S. Open (tennis)|US Open]] and the singles semifinals of the [[Australian Open]] and the [[French Open]]. In 2007, she won the [[2007 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]] mixed doubles title with British partner [[Jamie Murray]].


==Tennis career==
==Tennis career==
===Early career===
===Early career===
Janković learned her first tennis skills in Tennis Club 'Red Star'.<ref>[http://www.sd-crvenazvezda.net/index.php?mod=hst&hid=21 Red Star, club's tennis history] {{sr icon}}</ref> As a nine-and-a-half year old she was introduced to tennis by her elder brother and fitness coach Marko. She was later trained at the Tennis Academy of [[Nick Bollettieri]]. As a junior she won the [[2001 Australian Open]]. In 2001, she started to play on the WTA Tour; she reached the second round at her first tournament at the [[Indian Wells Masters]].
Horseface learned her first tennis skills in Tennis Club 'Red Star'.<ref>[http://www.sd-crvenazvezda.net/index.php?mod=hst&hid=21 Red Star, club's tennis history] {{sr icon}}</ref> As a nine-and-a-half year old she was introduced to tennis by her elder brother and fitness coach Marko. She was later trained at the Tennis Academy of [[Nick Bollettieri]]. As a junior she won the [[2001 Australian Open]]. In 2001, she started to play on the WTA Tour; she reached the second round at her first tournament at the [[Indian Wells Masters]].


In October 2003, Janković entered the top 100 at No. 90 for the first time after winning her first ITF title in Dubai. Three months later, Janković garnered her first top 10 win against [[Elena Dementieva]] 6–1, 6–4 in the first round of the [[2004 Australian Open]]. In May, Janković won her first WTA title, a Tier V event, in [[Budapest Grand Prix|Budapest]], defeating [[Martina Suchá]] in the final 7–6, 6–3. Following her win in Budapest, she reached No. 51 in the world. Elsewhere in her 2004 season, she defeated top 20 players [[Nadia Petrova]] (twice), [[Vera Zvonareva]], [[Patty Schnyder]] and [[Paola Suárez]]. Janković finished 2004 ranked No. 28 in the world.
In October 2003, Horseface entered the top 100 at No. 90 for the first time after winning her first ITF title in Dubai. Three months later, Horseface garnered her first top 10 win against [[Elena Dementieva]] 6–1, 6–4 in the first round of the [[2004 Australian Open]]. In May, Horseface won her first WTA title, a Tier V event, in [[Budapest Grand Prix|Budapest]], defeating [[Martina Suchá]] in the final 7–6, 6–3. Following her win in Budapest, she reached No. 51 in the world. Elsewhere in her 2004 season, she defeated top 20 players [[Nadia Petrova]] (twice), [[Vera Zvonareva]], [[Patty Schnyder]] and [[Paola Suárez]]. Horseface finished 2004 ranked No. 28 in the world.


=== 2005 ===
=== 2005 ===


In March, at [[Dubai Tennis Championships|Dubai]], she advanced to the final following [[Serena Williams|Serena Williams's]] retirement in the semifinal. Janković then lost in the final to [[Lindsay Davenport]] 6–4, 3–6, 6–4. She made her first Tier I semifinal in [[German Open (tennis)|Berlin]], losing to [[Nadia Petrova]] 6–4, 6–7, 6–3. In June, she reached her first grass court final at [[DFS Classic|Birmingham]], but lost to [[Maria Sharapova]] 6–2, 4–6, 6–1. In October, Janković reached her third final of the year in [[Hansol Korea Open Tennis Championships|Seoul]], ranked No. 17 in the world, her highest ranking at that time, losing to 16-year-old [[Nicole Vaidišová]] 7–5, 6–3. Her ranking at the end of the season eclipsed her 2004 record at No. 22.
In March, at [[Dubai Tennis Championships|Dubai]], she advanced to the final following [[Serena Williams|Serena Williams's]] retirement in the semifinal. Horseface then lost in the final to [[Lindsay Davenport]] 6–4, 3–6, 6–4. She made her first Tier I semifinal in [[German Open (tennis)|Berlin]], losing to [[Nadia Petrova]] 6–4, 6–7, 6–3. In June, she reached her first grass court final at [[DFS Classic|Birmingham]], but lost to [[Maria Sharapova]] 6–2, 4–6, 6–1. In October, Horseface reached her third final of the year in [[Hansol Korea Open Tennis Championships|Seoul]], ranked No. 17 in the world, her highest ranking at that time, losing to 16-year-old [[Nicole Vaidišová]] 7–5, 6–3. Her ranking at the end of the season eclipsed her 2004 record at No. 22.


=== 2006 ===
=== 2006 ===


After winning her first round match at the [[Australian Open]], Janković lost ten straight matches, not winning a match from late January into early May. She then reached the quarterfinals of the [[Rome Masters|Internazionali BNL d'Italia]] in Rome before losing to [[Venus Williams]] in three sets. The following week, she reached the semifinals in [[Internationaux de Strasbourg|Strasbourg]], retiring against [[Nicole Vaidišová]] in the second set. At the [[French Open]], Janković upset 25th-seeded [[Marion Bartoli]] before losing to World No. 1 [[Amélie Mauresmo]] in the third round. At [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]], she beat sixth-seeded and defending champion Venus Williams in the third round in three sets but went on to lose to ninth-seeded [[Anastasia Myskina]] in the fourth round 6–4, 7–6(5).
After winning her first round match at the [[Australian Open]], Horseface lost ten straight matches, not winning a match from late January into early May. She then reached the quarterfinals of the [[Rome Masters|Internazionali BNL d'Italia]] in Rome before losing to [[Venus Williams]] in three sets. The following week, she reached the semifinals in [[Internationaux de Strasbourg|Strasbourg]], retiring against [[Nicole Vaidišová]] in the second set. At the [[French Open]], Horseface upset 25th-seeded [[Marion Bartoli]] before losing to World No. 1 [[Amélie Mauresmo]] in the third round. At [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]], she beat sixth-seeded and defending champion Venus Williams in the third round in three sets but went on to lose to ninth-seeded [[Anastasia Myskina]] in the fourth round 6–4, 7–6(5).
[[Image:Jelena Jankovic at 2006 Wimbledon Championships.jpg|left|thumb|Janković at the 2006 Wimbledon Championships.]]
[[Image:Jelena Jankovic at 2006 Wimbledon Championships.jpg|left|thumb|Horseface at the 2006 Wimbledon Championships.]]


During the North American summer [[hard court]] season, Janković reached her fifth career final at the [[East West Bank Classic|JPMorgan Chase Open]] in Los Angeles, defeating tenth-seeded [[Ana Ivanović]] in the quarterfinals and unseeded [[Serena Williams]] in the semifinals before losing to third seeded [[Elena Dementieva]] in the final. The [[2006 U.S. Open (tennis)|US Open]] saw Janković defeat World No. 10 Vaidišová in the third round, World No. 7 [[Svetlana Kuznetsova]] in the fourth round, and World No. 5 Dementieva in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, Janković lost to [[Justine Henin]] 4–6, 6–4, 6–0 after Janković had led 6–4, 4–2. Janković argued with the chair umpire when the umpire refused to offer an opinion as to whether a service call had been correct, suggesting that Janković use one of her electronic challenges. Janković then lost ten consecutive games.
During the North American summer [[hard court]] season, Horseface reached her fifth career final at the [[East West Bank Classic|JPMorgan Chase Open]] in Los Angeles, defeating tenth-seeded [[Ana Ivanović]] in the quarterfinals and unseeded [[Serena Williams]] in the semifinals before losing to third seeded [[Elena Dementieva]] in the final. The [[2006 U.S. Open (tennis)|US Open]] saw Horseface defeat World No. 10 Vaidišová in the third round, World No. 7 [[Svetlana Kuznetsova]] in the fourth round, and World No. 5 Dementieva in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, Horseface lost to [[Justine Henin]] 4–6, 6–4, 6–0 after Horseface had led 6–4, 4–2. Horseface argued with the chair umpire when the umpire refused to offer an opinion as to whether a service call had been correct, suggesting that Horseface use one of her electronic challenges. Horseface then lost ten consecutive games.


At Janković's first tournament following the US Open, she reached the semifinals of the Tier II [[China Open (tennis)|China Open]], losing to Mauresmo 6–1, 3–6, 7–6 after Janković served for the match at 6–5 in the third set. The following week, Janković reached the [[Guangzhou International Women's Open|Guangzhou]] semifinals, retiring against [[Anna Chakvetadze]] while trailing 7-5, 2-0. In her last four tournaments of the year, she lost to Kuznetsova, Vaidišová and [[Olga Poutchkova]] in the quarterfinals of three of them and to Kuznetsova in the second round of the other one.
At Horseface's first tournament following the US Open, she reached the semifinals of the Tier II [[China Open (tennis)|China Open]], losing to Mauresmo 6–1, 3–6, 7–6 after Horseface served for the match at 6–5 in the third set. The following week, Horseface reached the [[Guangzhou International Women's Open|Guangzhou]] semifinals, retiring against [[Anna Chakvetadze]] while trailing 7-5, 2-0. In her last four tournaments of the year, she lost to Kuznetsova, Vaidišová and [[Olga Poutchkova]] in the quarterfinals of three of them and to Kuznetsova in the second round of the other one.


Janković finished the year ranked World No. 12.
Janković finished the year ranked World No. 12.
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=== 2007 ===
=== 2007 ===


To begin the year, Janković won her second title at the Tier IV [[ASB Classic]] in [[Auckland]], defeating [[Vera Zvonareva]] in the final. At the Tier II [[N.S.W Open/Medibank International|Medibank International]] in Sydney, Janković defeated World No. 7 and former No.1 [[Martina Hingis]] and top-seeded [[Amélie Mauresmo]] on the way to the final where she lost to [[Kim Clijsters]].<ref>[http://www.smh.com.au/news/tennis/clijsters-beats-jankovic--and-crowd/2007/01/12/1168105183727.html Clijsters beats Janković and Crowd]</ref> She then reached the fourth round of the [[2007 Australian Open|Australian Open]], where she was eliminated by the eventual champion [[Serena Williams]] 6–3, 6–2. Because of her results at these tournaments, her ranking rose to World No. 10, the first time she had been included in the top ten.
To begin the year, Horseface won her second title at the Tier IV [[ASB Classic]] in [[Auckland]], defeating [[Vera Zvonareva]] in the final. At the Tier II [[N.S.W Open/Medibank International|Medibank International]] in Sydney, Horseface defeated World No. 7 and former No.1 [[Martina Hingis]] and top-seeded [[Amélie Mauresmo]] on the way to the final where she lost to [[Kim Clijsters]].<ref>[http://www.smh.com.au/news/tennis/clijsters-beats-jankovic--and-crowd/2007/01/12/1168105183727.html Clijsters beats Janković and Crowd]</ref> She then reached the fourth round of the [[2007 Australian Open|Australian Open]], where she was eliminated by the eventual champion [[Serena Williams]] 6–3, 6–2. Because of her results at these tournaments, her ranking rose to World No. 10, the first time she had been included in the top ten.


[[Image:JelenaJ.jpg|180px|thumb|Janković at the 2007 [[Dubai Tennis Championships]]]]
[[Image:JelenaJ.jpg|180px|thumb|Janković at the 2007 [[Dubai Tennis Championships]]]]
At the first [[WTA Tier I Events|Tier I]] event of the year in [[Toray Pan Pacific Open|Tokyo]], Janković lost in the quarterfinals to countrywoman [[Ana Ivanović]] and at the [[Dubai Tennis Championships]], she retired from her semifinal match with Mauresmo because of an ankle injury. The following week in [[Qatar Total Open|Doha]], Janković again reached the semifinals, losing to [[Justine Henin]] in three sets. After that, she played at the Tier I [[Pacific Life Open]] in [[Indian Wells, California]] where she was eliminated by [[Li Na (tennis)|Na Li]] in the fourth round. To complete the spring hard court season, Janković lost in the third round of the Tier I tournament in [[Miami Masters]] to Italian [[Mara Santangelo]] in three sets despite holding a 6–2, 5–2 lead.
At the first [[WTA Tier I Events|Tier I]] event of the year in [[Toray Pan Pacific Open|Tokyo]], Horseface lost in the quarterfinals to countrywoman [[Ana Ivanović]] and at the [[Dubai Tennis Championships]], she retired from her semifinal match with Mauresmo because of an ankle injury. The following week in [[Qatar Total Open|Doha]], Horseface again reached the semifinals, losing to [[Justine Henin]] in three sets. After that, she played at the Tier I [[Pacific Life Open]] in [[Indian Wells, California]] where she was eliminated by [[Li Na (tennis)|Na Li]] in the fourth round. To complete the spring hard court season, Horseface lost in the third round of the Tier I tournament in [[Miami Masters]] to Italian [[Mara Santangelo]] in three sets despite holding a 6–2, 5–2 lead.


Janković then started her [[clay court]] season at [[Bausch & Lomb Championships|Amelia Island, Florida]], where she lost in the quarterfinals to Ivanović 7–5, 6–3. She then won her first career Tier I title, at the [[Family Circle Cup]] in [[Charleston, South Carolina]], defeating [[Venus Williams]] in the semifinals 3–6, 6–3, 7–6 and [[Dinara Safina]] in the final. On European red clay, Janković then lost to Henin three times and won one tournament. At the [[J&S Cup]] in [[Warsaw]], Janković lost to Henin in the semifinals 7–5, 2–6, 6–4. At the [[German Open (tennis)|Qatar Telecom German Open]], Janković lost to Henin in the quarterfinals 3–6, 6–4, 6–4 after failing to hold a 4–0 lead in the third set. Janković next won her second career Tier I title at the [[Rome Masters|Internazionali BNL d'Italia]] in Rome, defeating second-seeded [[Svetlana Kuznetsova]] in the final. Janković was the fourth seed at the [[2007 French Open|French Open]], falling to Henin in the semifinals 6–2, 6–2. Her results at these six clay court tournaments improved her ranking to World No. 3.
Horseface then started her [[clay court]] season at [[Bausch & Lomb Championships|Amelia Island, Florida]], where she lost in the quarterfinals to Ivanović 7–5, 6–3. She then won her first career Tier I title, at the [[Family Circle Cup]] in [[Charleston, South Carolina]], defeating [[Venus Williams]] in the semifinals 3–6, 6–3, 7–6 and [[Dinara Safina]] in the final. On European red clay, Horseface then lost to Henin three times and won one tournament. At the [[J&S Cup]] in [[Warsaw]], Horseface lost to Henin in the semifinals 7–5, 2–6, 6–4. At the [[German Open (tennis)|Qatar Telecom German Open]], Horseface lost to Henin in the quarterfinals 3–6, 6–4, 6–4 after failing to hold a 4–0 lead in the third set. Horseface next won her second career Tier I title at the [[Rome Masters|Internazionali BNL d'Italia]] in Rome, defeating second-seeded [[Svetlana Kuznetsova]] in the final. Horseface was the fourth seed at the [[2007 French Open|French Open]], falling to Henin in the semifinals 6–2, 6–2. Her results at these six clay court tournaments improved her ranking to World No. 3.


On grass, Janković captured the [[DFS Classic]] title in [[Birmingham]], beating top-seeded [[Maria Sharapova]] in the final. Sharapova led 3–0 in the third set before Janković rallied to win the match. This was her first career victory over Sharapova. The next week, Janković reached the final of the [[Ordina Open]] in the Netherlands and became the first player since [[Chris Evert]] in 1974 to win 50 matches in the first half of a year.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} Janković, suffering from a hamstring injury, lost the final to [[Anna Chakvetadze]]. At [[2007 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]], Janković was the third-seed but lost in the fourth round to eventual finalist [[Marion Bartoli]], 3–6, 7–5, 6–3. In the mixed doubles competition at Wimbledon, Janković teamed with doubles specialist [[Jamie Murray]] to win the title by beating the fifth-seed team, [[Jonas Björkman]] and [[Alicia Molik]], in the final 6–4, 3–6, 6–1.
On grass, Horseface captured the [[DFS Classic]] title in [[Birmingham]], beating top-seeded [[Maria Sharapova]] in the final. Sharapova led 3–0 in the third set before Horseface rallied to win the match. This was her first career victory over Sharapova. The next week, Horseface reached the final of the [[Ordina Open]] in the Netherlands and became the first player since [[Chris Evert]] in 1974 to win 50 matches in the first half of a year.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} Horseface, suffering from a hamstring injury, lost the final to [[Anna Chakvetadze]]. At [[2007 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]], Horseface was the third-seed but lost in the fourth round to eventual finalist [[Marion Bartoli]], 3–6, 7–5, 6–3. In the mixed doubles competition at Wimbledon, Horseface teamed with doubles specialist [[Jamie Murray]] to win the title by beating the fifth-seed team, [[Jonas Björkman]] and [[Alicia Molik]], in the final 6–4, 3–6, 6–1.


During the North American summer hard court season, Janković lost in the third round of the Tier I [[Acura Classic]] in [[San Diego]]. Janković blamed her loss on the [[influenza|flu]] but despite her illness, she reached the semifinals of the [[East West Bank Classic]] in [[Carson, California]] the next week. There, she lost to Ivanović in three sets. Janković said, "I cannot expect myself to play my best tennis when I am still blowing my nose on each changeover with paper towels."<ref>[http://www.ocregister.com/sports/jankovic-cold-last-1802781-second-daniilidou Janković overcomes 'flu bug]</ref> In August, Janković reached the final of the Tier I [[Canada Masters|Rogers Cup]] in Toronto, where she lost to Henin on Henin's sixth match point. Janković had led 4–1 in the first set and 4–2 in the second set but was unable to maintain her lead. At the [[2007 U.S. Open (tennis)|US Open]], Janković lost to Venus Williams in the quarterfinals 4–6, 6–1, 7–6(4).
During the North American summer hard court season, Horseface lost in the third round of the Tier I [[Acura Classic]] in [[San Diego]]. Horseface blamed her loss on the [[influenza|flu]] but despite her illness, she reached the semifinals of the [[East West Bank Classic]] in [[Carson, California]] the next week. There, she lost to Ivanović in three sets. Horseface said, "I cannot expect myself to play my best tennis when I am still blowing my nose on each changeover with paper towels."<ref>[http://www.ocregister.com/sports/jankovic-cold-last-1802781-second-daniilidou Janković overcomes 'flu bug]</ref> In August, Horseface reached the final of the Tier I [[Canada Masters|Rogers Cup]] in Toronto, where she lost to Henin on Henin's sixth match point. Horseface had led 4–1 in the first set and 4–2 in the second set but was unable to maintain her lead. At the [[2007 U.S. Open (tennis)|US Open]], Horseface lost to Venus Williams in the quarterfinals 4–6, 6–1, 7–6(4).


[[Image:Jelena Jankovic 1.jpg|left|thumb|Janković practicing at the [[2007 U.S. Open (tennis)|2007 US Open]]]]
[[Image:Jelena Jankovic 1.jpg|left|thumb|Janković practicing at the [[2007 U.S. Open (tennis)|2007 US Open]]]]


To complete her hectic playing year, Janković traveled to Asia for two tournaments, Europe for one tournament, back to Asia for one tournament, and finally back to Europe for two tournaments. At the [[2007 Commonwealth Bank Tennis Classic|Commonwealth Bank Tennis Classic]] in [[Bali]], Janković was upset in the quarterfinals by former [[List of WTA number 1 ranked players|World No. 1]] [[Lindsay Davenport]] 6–4, 2–6, 6–2. This was Davenport's first singles tournament since giving birth. The following week at the [[China Open (tennis)|China Open]] in Beijing, Janković received a wildcard into the tournament after top-ranked Henin withdrew due to illness. In the second round, Janković defeated [[Virginia Ruano Pascual]] 6–0, 6–0, the third time in her career she had won a match without losing a game. Janković lost only four points during the second set, all on her own serve. In the semifinals, Janković beat Davenport 6–3, 7–5 but lost in the final to Hungarian teenager [[Ágnes Szávay]] after Janković had a match point in the second set.<ref>[http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/1/newsroom/stories/?ContentID=1734 Back From The Brink in Beijing]</ref>
To complete her hectic playing year, Horseface traveled to Asia for two tournaments, Europe for one tournament, back to Asia for one tournament, and finally back to Europe for two tournaments. At the [[2007 Commonwealth Bank Tennis Classic|Commonwealth Bank Tennis Classic]] in [[Bali]], Horseface was upset in the quarterfinals by former [[List of WTA number 1 ranked players|World No. 1]] [[Lindsay Davenport]] 6–4, 2–6, 6–2. This was Davenport's first singles tournament since giving birth. The following week at the [[China Open (tennis)|China Open]] in Beijing, Horseface received a wildcard into the tournament after top-ranked Henin withdrew due to illness. In the second round, Horseface defeated [[Virginia Ruano Pascual]] 6–0, 6–0, the third time in her career she had won a match without losing a game. Horseface lost only four points during the second set, all on her own serve. In the semifinals, Janković beat Davenport 6–3, 7–5 but lost in the final to Hungarian teenager [[Ágnes Szávay]] after Horseface had a match point in the second set.<ref>[http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/1/newsroom/stories/?ContentID=1734 Back From The Brink in Beijing]</ref>


After a two week break, Janković then played three consecutive weeks but won only two matches. At the Tier II tournament in [[Porsche Tennis Grand Prix|Stuttgart]], Janković lost to Henin in the semifinals 7–6(2), 7–5. Janković then retired from her first round match in [[PTT Bangkok Open|Bangkok]] with [[Yan Zi (tennis)|Yan Zi]]. After a first round [[Bye (sports)|bye]] at the [[2007 Zürich Open|Zürich Open]], Janković lost to Vaidišová 6–4, 6–4. Janković took a three week break before playing the year-ending [[2007 WTA Tour Championships|WTA Tour Championships]] in [[Madrid]]. However, Janković lost all three of her round robin matches, to Henin, Chakvetadze, and Bartoli. Janković had successful nose surgery immediately after Madrid to correct a breathing problem. The surgery prevented her from practicing for three weeks.
After a two week break, Horseface then played three consecutive weeks but won only two matches. At the Tier II tournament in [[Porsche Tennis Grand Prix|Stuttgart]], Horseface lost to Henin in the semifinals 7–6(2), 7–5. Horseface then retired from her first round match in [[PTT Bangkok Open|Bangkok]] with [[Yan Zi (tennis)|Yan Zi]]. After a first round [[Bye (sports)|bye]] at the [[2007 Zürich Open|Zürich Open]], Horseface lost to Vaidišová 6–4, 6–4. Horseface took a three week break before playing the year-ending [[2007 WTA Tour Championships|WTA Tour Championships]] in [[Madrid]]. However, Horseface lost all three of her round robin matches, to Henin, Chakvetadze, and Bartoli. Horseface had successful nose surgery immediately after Madrid to correct a breathing problem. The surgery prevented her from practicing for three weeks.


===2008===
===2008===


[[Image:Jelena-jankovic.jpg|220px|thumb|Janković in the [[2008 Australian Open]]]]
[[Image:Jelena-jankovic.jpg|220px|thumb|Horseface in the [[2008 Australian Open]]]]
Instead of defending her title in [[ASB Classic|Auckland]], Janković joined [[Novak Djokovic]] in playing for Serbia in the [[2008 Hopman Cup|Hopman Cup]], an exhibition team event sanctioned by the [[International Tennis Federation]]. In the final, Janković and Djokovic lost to the American team of [[Serena Williams]] and [[Mardy Fish]], with Janković unable to play her singles rubber because of injury. In her final preparation event for the [[Australian Open]], the [[2008 Medibank International|Medibank International]] in Sydney, Janković lost in the quarterfinals to [[Nicole Vaidišová]]. Her first match at the [[2008 Australian Open|Australian Open]] was against [[Tamira Paszek]], which Janković won in three sets in over three hours.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://sport.guardian.co.uk/breakingnews/feedstory/0,,-7222914,00.html|title= Janković survives marathon clash with Paszek|accessdate= 2008-01-13|author= Simon Cambers|publisher= [[Guardian Unlimited]]}}</ref> Both players needed medical attention during the final set.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://sportal.com.au/tennis-news-display/jankovic-survives-almighty-scare-41611|title= Janković survives almighty scare|accessdate= 2008-01-13|author= Paul Gough|date= 2008-01-14|publisher= sportal.com.au}}</ref> Janković then reached the quarterfinals for the first time, defeating defending champion Serena Williams reaching her third career Grand Slam singles semifinal where she lost to [[Maria Sharapova]] 6–3, 6–1.
Instead of defending her title in [[ASB Classic|Auckland]], Horseface joined [[Novak Djokovic]] in playing for Serbia in the [[2008 Hopman Cup|Hopman Cup]], an exhibition team event sanctioned by the [[International Tennis Federation]]. In the final, Horseface and Djokovic lost to the American team of [[Serena Williams]] and [[Mardy Fish]], with Horseface unable to play her singles rubber because of injury. In her final preparation event for the [[Australian Open]], the [[2008 Medibank International|Medibank International]] in Sydney, Horseface lost in the quarterfinals to [[Nicole Vaidišová]]. Her first match at the [[2008 Australian Open|Australian Open]] was against [[Tamira Paszek]], which Horseface won in three sets in over three hours.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://sport.guardian.co.uk/breakingnews/feedstory/0,,-7222914,00.html|title= Janković survives marathon clash with Paszek|accessdate= 2008-01-13|author= Simon Cambers|publisher= [[Guardian Unlimited]]}}</ref> Both players needed medical attention during the final set.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://sportal.com.au/tennis-news-display/jankovic-survives-almighty-scare-41611|title= Janković survives almighty scare|accessdate= 2008-01-13|author= Paul Gough|date= 2008-01-14|publisher= sportal.com.au}}</ref> Horseface then reached the quarterfinals for the first time, defeating defending champion Serena Williams reaching her third career Grand Slam singles semifinal where she lost to [[Maria Sharapova]] 6–3, 6–1.


Janković then played two tournaments in the Middle East. At the [[Tier I]] [[Qatar Total Open]] in [[Doha]], Janković lost in the quarterfinals to [[Li Na (tennis)|Li Na]] 6–3, 6–4. The next week at the Tier II [[Dubai Tennis Championships|Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships]], Janković lost in the semifinals to [[Svetlana Kuznetsova]] 5–7, 6–4, 6–3. Janković played one more Asian event, the Tier II [[Bangalore Open|Canara Bank Bangalore Open]] in India. Although she was the top seeded player, she lost in the quarterfinals to [[Yan Zi]] of China 6–3, 3–6, 6–3. At the Tier I [[2008 Pacific Life Open|Pacific Life Open]] in [[Indian Wells, California]], Janković was the third seed and defeated 24th-seeded [[Lindsay Davenport]] in the quarterfinals when Davenport retired from the match with a shoulder and back injury after losing the first set. Janković then lost to fellow Serb [[Ana Ivanović]] in the semifinals 7–6(3), 6–3. The following fortnight, Janković was the runner-up at the [[Miami Masters]], losing to Serena Williams 6–1, 5–7, 6–3 after Williams was unable to convert on seven match points in the third set.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7332424.stm|title=Serena battles to fifth Miami win|publisher=BBC Sport|author=Piers Newbury|date=2008-04-05|accessdate=2008-08-02}}</ref>
Horseface then played two tournaments in the Middle East. At the [[Tier I]] [[Qatar Total Open]] in [[Doha]], Horseface lost in the quarterfinals to [[Li Na (tennis)|Li Na]] 6–3, 6–4. The next week at the Tier II [[Dubai Tennis Championships|Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships]], Horseface lost in the semifinals to [[Svetlana Kuznetsova]] 5–7, 6–4, 6–3. Horseface played one more Asian event, the Tier II [[Bangalore Open|Canara Bank Bangalore Open]] in India. Although she was the top seeded player, she lost in the quarterfinals to [[Yan Zi]] of China 6–3, 3–6, 6–3. At the Tier I [[2008 Pacific Life Open|Pacific Life Open]] in [[Indian Wells, California]], Horseface was the third seed and defeated 24th-seeded [[Lindsay Davenport]] in the quarterfinals when Davenport retired from the match with a shoulder and back injury after losing the first set. Horseface then lost to fellow Serb [[Ana Ivanović]] in the semifinals 7–6(3), 6–3. The following fortnight, Janković was the runner-up at the [[Miami Masters]], losing to Serena Williams 6–1, 5–7, 6–3 after Williams was unable to convert on seven match points in the third set.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7332424.stm|title=Serena battles to fifth Miami win|publisher=BBC Sport|author=Piers Newbury|date=2008-04-05|accessdate=2008-08-02}}</ref>


Janković lost in the quarterfinals of her next two Tier I tournaments, the [[Family Circle Cup]] in [[Charleston, South Carolina]] (where she was defending champion) and the [[Qatar Telecom German Open]] in Berlin. Janković then successfully defended her Tier I [[Internazionali BNL d'Italia]] title in Rome. She defeated [[Venus Williams]] in the quarterfinals, advanced by walkover against Sharapova in the semifinals, and defeated French teenager [[Alizé Cornet]] in the final. This was Janković's first singles title of the year.
Horseface lost in the quarterfinals of her next two Tier I tournaments, the [[Family Circle Cup]] in [[Charleston, South Carolina]] (where she was defending champion) and the [[Qatar Telecom German Open]] in Berlin. Horseface then successfully defended her Tier I [[Internazionali BNL d'Italia]] title in Rome. She defeated [[Venus Williams]] in the quarterfinals, advanced by walkover against Sharapova in the semifinals, and defeated French teenager [[Alizé Cornet]] in the final. This was Horseface's first singles title of the year.
At the [[French Open]] in Paris, Janković lost in three sets to Ivanović. Janković failed to sustain leads of 3–0 in the first set and 3–1 in the third set, although she did win the second set after trailing 3–1. Janković committed 51 unforced errors compared to 28 winners during the match.<ref>[http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/scores/stats/day17/2126ms.html Match Statistics]</ref>
At the [[French Open]] in Paris, Horseface lost in three sets to Ivanović. Horseface failed to sustain leads of 3–0 in the first set and 3–1 in the third set, although she did win the second set after trailing 3–1. Horseface committed 51 unforced errors compared to 28 winners during the match.<ref>[http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/scores/stats/day17/2126ms.html Match Statistics]</ref>


On [[grass court|grass]], Janković withdrew from the [[DFS Classic]] in [[Birmingham]], United Kingdom because of an arm injury sustained during the French Open. Nevertheless, she replaced Sharapova as World No. 2 following the tournament. At [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]], Janković was the second seeded player and defeated [[Caroline Wozniacki]] in the third round despite injuring her left knee.<ref>[http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/news/match_reports/2008-06-28/200806281214665988140.html Janković hobbles to hard-fought win]</ref> Because of early round losses by other highly ranked players, Janković only needed to reach the semifinals to replace Ivanović as World No. 1.<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2008-06-28-jankovic_N.htm The next No. 1? Jankovic one of few to dodge upset bug]</ref> However, she lost to [[Tamarine Tanasugarn]] in the fourth round 6–3, 6–2. Janković lost her third opportunity to grasp the World No. 1 ranking at the [[East West Bank Classic]] in Los Angeles<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7527434.stm|title=Defeat puts Janković bid on hold|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2008-07-27|accessdate=2008-08-02}}</ref> when she lost to [[Dinara Safina]] in the semifinals 7–6(3), 6–1.
On [[grass court|grass]], Horseface withdrew from the [[DFS Classic]] in [[Birmingham]], United Kingdom because of an arm injury sustained during the French Open. Nevertheless, she replaced Sharapova as World No. 2 following the tournament. At [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]], Horseface was the second seeded player and defeated [[Caroline Wozniacki]] in the third round despite injuring her left knee.<ref>[http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/news/match_reports/2008-06-28/200806281214665988140.html Horseface hobbles to hard-fought win]</ref> Because of early round losses by other highly ranked players, Horseface only needed to reach the semifinals to replace Ivanović as World No. 1.<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2008-06-28-jankovic_N.htm The next No. 1? Jankovic one of few to dodge upset bug]</ref> However, she lost to [[Tamarine Tanasugarn]] in the fourth round 6–3, 6–2. Janković lost her third opportunity to grasp the World No. 1 ranking at the [[East West Bank Classic]] in Los Angeles<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7527434.stm|title=Defeat puts Janković bid on hold|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2008-07-27|accessdate=2008-08-02}}</ref> when she lost to [[Dinara Safina]] in the semifinals 7–6(3), 6–1.


At the Tier I [[Rogers Cup (tennis)|Rogers Cup]] in Montreal, Janković had a fourth chance to claim the World No. 1 ranking. Because Ivanović had lost in the third round, Janković only needed to reach the final to replace Ivanović as the top ranked player. However, Janković lost in the quarterfinals to [[Dominika Cibulková]] 7–5, 6–2 after Janković had led 4–0 in the first set. After the match, Janković said, "At the moment I don't deserve the top spot. I am not in the best shape, I am not at my highest level".<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7538459.stm|title=Jankovic misses top spot chance|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2008-08-01|accessdate=2008-08-02}}</ref> Despite the loss, Janković moved up to World No. 1 on August 11, 2008.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7539061.stm| title=Janković to take number one spot|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2008-08-02|accessdate=2008-08-02}}</ref> She is the 18th woman to have been ranked World No. 1 by the [[Women's Tennis Association]]. She is the first woman to have attained that ranking without ever having reached a Grand Slam final and only the third woman (the others being [[Amélie Mauresmo]] and [[Kim Clijsters]]) to have become World No. 1 without first winning a Grand Slam title.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/11/sports/tennis/11women.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1217757859-wf4AgPofpExnWHHO9ejrbA&oref=slogin|title=Finally, a Grand Slam for Clijsters|publisher=[[New York Times]]|author=Liz Robbins|date=2005-09-11|accessdate=2008-08-03}}</ref> <ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2004/09/13/tennis-rankings040913.html|title=Mauresmo takes over No. 1 world tennis ranking|publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]], AP|quote=[Mauresmo] is only the second player to reach No. 1 in the WTA rankings without winning a Grand Slam title.|date=2004-09-14|accessdate=2008-08-03}}</ref> [[Serbia]] is only the third nation (the others being Belgium and the United States) to have had consecutive World No. 1 female players.{{Fact|date=October 2008}} Janković then lost her World No. 1 ranking on August 18, 2008, to Ivanović.
At the Tier I [[Rogers Cup (tennis)|Rogers Cup]] in Montreal, Horseface had a fourth chance to claim the World No. 1 ranking. Because Ivanović had lost in the third round, Horseface only needed to reach the final to replace Ivanović as the top ranked player. However, Horseface lost in the quarterfinals to [[Dominika Cibulková]] 7–5, 6–2 after Horseface had led 4–0 in the first set. After the match, Horseface said, "At the moment I don't deserve the top spot. I am not in the best shape, I am not at my highest level".<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7538459.stm|title=Jankovic misses top spot chance|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2008-08-01|accessdate=2008-08-02}}</ref> Despite the loss, Janković moved up to World No. 1 on August 11, 2008.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7539061.stm| title=Janković to take number one spot|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2008-08-02|accessdate=2008-08-02}}</ref> She is the 18th woman to have been ranked World No. 1 by the [[Women's Tennis Association]]. She is the first woman to have attained that ranking without ever having reached a Grand Slam final and only the third woman (the others being [[Amélie Mauresmo]] and [[Kim Clijsters]]) to have become World No. 1 without first winning a Grand Slam title.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/11/sports/tennis/11women.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1217757859-wf4AgPofpExnWHHO9ejrbA&oref=slogin|title=Finally, a Grand Slam for Clijsters|publisher=[[New York Times]]|author=Liz Robbins|date=2005-09-11|accessdate=2008-08-03}}</ref> <ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2004/09/13/tennis-rankings040913.html|title=Mauresmo takes over No. 1 world tennis ranking|publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]], AP|quote=[Mauresmo] is only the second player to reach No. 1 in the WTA rankings without winning a Grand Slam title.|date=2004-09-14|accessdate=2008-08-03}}</ref> [[Serbia]] is only the third nation (the others being Belgium and the United States) to have had consecutive World No. 1 female players.{{Fact|date=October 2008}} Janković then lost her World No. 1 ranking on August 18, 2008, to Ivanović.


At the [[Beijing Olympics]], Janković was seeded second and played the tournament with a sore right calf muscle that caused her to consider withdrawing.<ref>[http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/olympics/2008/08/09/jankovic.decision.ap/index.html Tennis: Ailing Jankovic may pull out]</ref> Janković defeated Cibulková in the third round but lost to sixth seed and eventual runner-up Safina in the quarterfinals in three sets.
At the [[Beijing Olympics]], Horseface was seeded second and played the tournament with a sore right calf muscle that caused her to consider withdrawing.<ref>[http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/olympics/2008/08/09/jankovic.decision.ap/index.html Tennis: Ailing Jankovic may pull out]</ref> Horseface defeated Cibulková in the third round but lost to sixth seed and eventual runner-up Safina in the quarterfinals in three sets.


Janković's next tournament was the final Grand Slam of the year, the [[US Open (tennis)|US Open]]. She defeated fifth-seeded [[Elena Dementieva]] in the semifinals to reach her first Grand Slam final, where she lost to fourth-seeded [[Serena Williams]] 6–4, 7–5. Janković then lost in the quarterfinals of the Tier I [[2008 Toray Pan Pacific Open|Toray Pan Pacific Open]] in Tokyo to [[Svetlana Kuznetsova]] 2–6, 7–5, 7–5. Janković scored a win over Kuznetsova the next week though, when she beat her 6–3, 6–2 in the final of the [[2008 China Open (tennis)|China Open]]. In the semifinal, she defeated Olympic bronze medalist, [[Vera Zvonareva]], in three sets. Janković played in the [[Porsche Tennis Grand Prix]], where she defeated [[Venus Williams]] in the semifinals 6–7(8), 7–5, 6–2, and [[Nadia Petrova]] in the final 6–4, 6–3. This was her second title in two weeks. After that, she returned to World No. 1 spot on October 6.
Horseface's next tournament was the final Grand Slam of the year, the [[US Open (tennis)|US Open]]. She defeated fifth-seeded [[Elena Dementieva]] in the semifinals to reach her first Grand Slam final, where she lost to fourth-seeded [[Serena Williams]] 6–4, 7–5. Horseface then lost in the quarterfinals of the Tier I [[2008 Toray Pan Pacific Open|Toray Pan Pacific Open]] in Tokyo to [[Svetlana Kuznetsova]] 2–6, 7–5, 7–5. Horseface scored a win over Kuznetsova the next week though, when she beat her 6–3, 6–2 in the final of the [[2008 China Open (tennis)|China Open]]. In the semifinal, she defeated Olympic bronze medalist, [[Vera Zvonareva]], in three sets. Horseface played in the [[Porsche Tennis Grand Prix]], where she defeated [[Venus Williams]] in the semifinals 6–7(8), 7–5, 6–2, and [[Nadia Petrova]] in the final 6–4, 6–3. This was her second title in two weeks. After that, she returned to World No. 1 spot on October 6.


[[Image:Jelena Jankovic at the 2008 WTA Tour Championships.jpg|thumb|Janković on court at the [[2008 WTA Tour Championships]]]]
[[Image:Jelena Jankovic at the 2008 WTA Tour Championships.jpg|thumb|Janković on court at the [[2008 WTA Tour Championships]]]]
In the [[Kremlin Cup]], Janković defeated [[Vera Dushevina]] 6–7(6), 6–3, 6–2 in round two after a first round bye. In the quarterfinals, she beat Italian wild-card, [[Flavia Pennetta]], 7–6(6), 6–3. She defeated [[Elena Dementieva]] in the semifinals 0–6, 6–1, 6–0 before triumphing against [[Vera Zvonareva]] in the final, 6–2, 6–4 for her third title in three weeks, the first time for a player on the WTA tour to do so since 2005.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/1/newsroom/stories/?ContentID=2699|title=Jankovic Beats Zvonareva for Kremlin Cup Title
In the [[Kremlin Cup]], Horseface defeated [[Vera Dushevina]] 6–7(6), 6–3, 6–2 in round two after a first round bye. In the quarterfinals, she beat Italian wild-card, [[Flavia Pennetta]], 7–6(6), 6–3. She defeated [[Elena Dementieva]] in the semifinals 0–6, 6–1, 6–0 before triumphing against [[Vera Zvonareva]] in the final, 6–2, 6–4 for her third title in three weeks, the first time for a player on the WTA tour to do so since 2005.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/1/newsroom/stories/?ContentID=2699|title=Jankovic Beats Zvonareva for Kremlin Cup Title
|publisher=[[Women's Tennis Association]], AP|quote=Not since this time three years ago has a woman captured titles in three straight weeks on the Tour|date=2008-10-12|accessdate=2008-10-12}}</ref> Because of her result in the Kremlin Cup, this made Janković the only female in 2008 to make all quarter-finals or better in Tier I events.
|publisher=[[Women's Tennis Association]], AP|quote=Not since this time three years ago has a woman captured titles in three straight weeks on the Tour|date=2008-10-12|accessdate=2008-10-12}}</ref> Because of her result in the Kremlin Cup, this made Horseface the only female in 2008 to make all quarter-finals or better in Tier I events.


Janković's 12-match winning streak came to an end at the [[Zürich Open]] where, playing in her fifth event in five weeks, she lost to eventual runner-up [[Flavia Pennetta]] 5–7, 6–3, 6–3 in the second round after an injury to her left wrist at the end of the first set and a cut on her knee, where the trainer was called, in the second.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7674444.stm|title=Pennetta stuns Janković in Zurich
Horseface's 12-match winning streak came to an end at the [[Zürich Open]] where, playing in her fifth event in five weeks, she lost to eventual runner-up [[Flavia Pennetta]] 5–7, 6–3, 6–3 in the second round after an injury to her left wrist at the end of the first set and a cut on her knee, where the trainer was called, in the second.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7674444.stm|title=Pennetta stuns Janković in Zurich
|publisher=[[BBC Sport]], AP|quote=Janković, who won three straight titles before the tournament, appeared to hurt her left wrist late in the first set. |date=2008-10-16|accessdate=2008-10-17}}</ref> It was just her second pre-quarterfinal loss of the year, the other being at Wimbledon.
|publisher=[[BBC Sport]], AP|quote=Janković, who won three straight titles before the tournament, appeared to hurt her left wrist late in the first set. |date=2008-10-16|accessdate=2008-10-17}}</ref> It was just her second pre-quarterfinal loss of the year, the other being at Wimbledon.


In the first round-robin match of the [[2008 WTA Tour Championships]] held in [[Doha]], [[Qatar]], Janković saw off [[Ana Ivanović]], for the first time since the 2006 [[East West Bank Classic]] in Los Angeles. This was also her first win at a WTA Tour Championships event. In the second round-robin match she beat [[Svetlana Kuznetsova]] 7–6, 6–4, thus confirming her place in the semifinals. She lost her third round-robin match, which would determine whether she played [[Elena Dementieva]] or [[Venus Williams]], to [[Vera Zvonareva]], 2–6, 6–3, 6–4. She lost in the semifinals, to Williams, 6–2, 2–6, 6–3, and ended the year as World No. 1. Jankovic was later named the ITF World Champion for her performances in 2008.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/1/newsroom/stories/?ContentID=2834|title=Jankovic Named ITF World Champion|publisher=WTA website|date=2008-12-17|accessdate=2008-12-21}}</ref>
In the first round-robin match of the [[2008 WTA Tour Championships]] held in [[Doha]], [[Qatar]], Horseface saw off [[Ana Ivanović]], for the first time since the 2006 [[East West Bank Classic]] in Los Angeles. This was also her first win at a WTA Tour Championships event. In the second round-robin match she beat [[Svetlana Kuznetsova]] 7–6, 6–4, thus confirming her place in the semifinals. She lost her third round-robin match, which would determine whether she played [[Elena Dementieva]] or [[Venus Williams]], to [[Vera Zvonareva]], 2–6, 6–3, 6–4. She lost in the semifinals, to Williams, 6–2, 2–6, 6–3, and ended the year as World No. 1. Jankovic was later named the ITF World Champion for her performances in 2008.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/1/newsroom/stories/?ContentID=2834|title=Jankovic Named ITF World Champion|publisher=WTA website|date=2008-12-17|accessdate=2008-12-21}}</ref>


===2009===
===2009===


Janković started the year at the [[JB Group Classic]], an exhibition prior to the [[2009 Australian Open|Australian Open]]. She was the top seed of ''Team Europe''. She started by winning a doubles match in which she was paired with Portuguese player [[Michelle Larcher de Brito]]. The team defeated ''Team Americas''' World No. 6 [[Venus Williams]] and newcomer to the women's tour, [[Coco Vandeweghe]], 6–4, 7–5. Janković then lost to Williams in singles 6–2, 6–2. Janković later withdrew from the remainder of the tournament because of illness.
Horseface started the year at the [[JB Group Classic]], an exhibition prior to the [[2009 Australian Open|Australian Open]]. She was the top seed of ''Team Europe''. She started by winning a doubles match in which she was paired with Portuguese player [[Michelle Larcher de Brito]]. The team defeated ''Team Americas''' World No. 6 [[Venus Williams]] and newcomer to the women's tour, [[Coco Vandeweghe]], 6–4, 7–5. Janković then lost to Williams in singles 6–2, 6–2. Horseface later withdrew from the remainder of the tournament because of illness.


Janković was seeded first at the [[Australian Open]] in Melbourne, defeating [[Yvonne Meusburger]] in the first round and hitting 27 winners to Meusburger's three.<ref>[http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/scores/stats/day6/2101ms.html Match Statistics]</ref> Janković then beat Belgian [[Kirsten Flipkens]] in the second round and [[Ai Sugiyama]] in the third round. Sixteenth-seeded [[Marion Bartoli]] of [[France]] then upset Janković in the fourth round 6–1, 6–4. Bartoli hit 34 winners compared to Janković's 17 and won 81% of her first serve points compared to Janković's 56%.<ref>[http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/scores/stats/day12/2401ms.html Match Statistics]</ref> Janković lost her World No. 1 ranking to [[Serena Williams]] as a result.
Horseface was seeded first at the [[Australian Open]] in Melbourne, defeating [[Yvonne Meusburger]] in the first round and hitting 27 winners to Meusburger's three.<ref>[http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/scores/stats/day6/2101ms.html Match Statistics]</ref> Horseface then beat Belgian [[Kirsten Flipkens]] in the second round and [[Ai Sugiyama]] in the third round. Sixteenth-seeded [[Marion Bartoli]] of [[France]] then upset Horseface in the fourth round 6–1, 6–4. Bartoli hit 34 winners compared to Horseface's 17 and won 81% of her first serve points compared to Janković's 56%.<ref>[http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/scores/stats/day12/2401ms.html Match Statistics]</ref> Horseface lost her World No. 1 ranking to [[Serena Williams]] as a result.


Her next [[Women's Tennis Association]] event was the [[2009 Open GDF Suez|Open GDF SUEZ]] tournament in Paris, where she entered as a wildcard and was the second seeded player. In the first round, Janković beat [[Francesca Schiavone]] and in the second round, she beat [[Li Na (tennis)|Li Na]]. In the quarterfinals, she beat fifth-seeded [[Alizé Cornet]] 5–7, 6–4, 6–4 but then lost to [[Amélie Mauresmo]] in the semifinals 6–2, 0–6, 6–1.
Her next [[Women's Tennis Association]] event was the [[2009 Open GDF Suez|Open GDF SUEZ]] tournament in Paris, where she entered as a wildcard and was the second seeded player. In the first round, Horseface beat [[Francesca Schiavone]] and in the second round, she beat [[Li Na (tennis)|Li Na]]. In the quarterfinals, she beat fifth-seeded [[Alizé Cornet]] 5–7, 6–4, 6–4 but then lost to [[Amélie Mauresmo]] in the semifinals 6–2, 0–6, 6–1.


Janković had a first round bye at the [[2009 Dubai Tennis Championships|Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships]], where she was seeded third. She was upset by [[Kaia Kanepi]] in the third round, 6–2, 7–5, in what she called "the worst match of my career".<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7897939.stm|title=Jankovic loses to Kanepi in Dubai|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2009-02-18|accessdate=2009-02-18}}</ref> She was the second seeded player at the [[BNP Paribas Open]] in [[Indian Wells, California]], a [[WTA Premier tournaments|Premier Mandatory]] tournament. She received a bye in the first round before losing in the second round to [[Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova]] 6–4, 6–4. After the match, she conceded that she has been struggling with her confidence, saying "I need a lot of work".<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/15032009/58/wta-tour-jankovic-struggling-confidence.html|title=WTA Tour - Jankovic 'struggling with confidence'|publisher=[[Eurosport]], [[Yahoo!]]|date=2009-03-15|accessdate=2009-03-16}}</ref> Janković then lost in the second round of the next Premier Mandatory tournament, the [[2009 Sony Ericsson Open - Women's Singles|Sony Ericsson Open]] in [[Key Biscayne, Florida]], to [[Gisela Dulko]] 6–4, 7–6(5) after Janković failed to hold leads of 5–2 in the second set and 5–2 in the tiebreaker.<ref>[http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2009/3/29/sports/20090329160038&sec=sports Dulko upsets Jankovic; Williams sisters advance]</ref>
Horseface had a first round bye at the [[2009 Dubai Tennis Championships|Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships]], where she was seeded third. She was upset by [[Kaia Kanepi]] in the third round, 6–2, 7–5, in what she called "the worst match of my career".<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7897939.stm|title=Jankovic loses to Kanepi in Dubai|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2009-02-18|accessdate=2009-02-18}}</ref> She was the second seeded player at the [[BNP Paribas Open]] in [[Indian Wells, California]], a [[WTA Premier tournaments|Premier Mandatory]] tournament. She received a bye in the first round before losing in the second round to [[Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova]] 6–4, 6–4. After the match, she conceded that she has been struggling with her confidence, saying "I need a lot of work".<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/15032009/58/wta-tour-jankovic-struggling-confidence.html|title=WTA Tour - Jankovic 'struggling with confidence'|publisher=[[Eurosport]], [[Yahoo!]]|date=2009-03-15|accessdate=2009-03-16}}</ref> Janković then lost in the second round of the next Premier Mandatory tournament, the [[2009 Sony Ericsson Open - Women's Singles|Sony Ericsson Open]] in [[Key Biscayne, Florida]], to [[Gisela Dulko]] 6–4, 7–6(5) after Janković failed to hold leads of 5–2 in the second set and 5–2 in the tiebreaker.<ref>[http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2009/3/29/sports/20090329160038&sec=sports Dulko upsets Jankovic; Williams sisters advance]</ref>


Beginning her spring [[clay court]] season at the [[2009 Andalucia Tennis Experience|Andalucia Tennis Experience]] in [[Marbella]], [[Spain]], Janković defeated fifth-seeded Spaniard [[Carla Suarez Navarro]] in three sets for her first title of 2009.
Beginning her spring [[clay court]] season at the [[2009 Andalucia Tennis Experience|Andalucia Tennis Experience]] in [[Marbella]], [[Spain]], Horseface defeated fifth-seeded Spaniard [[Carla Suarez Navarro]] in three sets for her first title of 2009.


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Janković was born in [[Belgrade]], in then [[SFR Yugoslavia|Yugoslavia]], now [[Serbia]], as the third child of Veselin and Snežana Janković, both economists. Her mother is from Serbia and her father is from [[Montenegro]] ([[Vasojevići]] clan). She also has two brothers, Marko and Stefan. She is a student at the [[Megatrend University]] in Belgrade, studying economics; however, she has put her course of study on indefinite hold as she continues to pursue her tennis career. She trained at tennis club "Crvena Zvezda".
Horseface was born in [[Belgrade]], in then [[SFR Yugoslavia|Yugoslavia]], now [[Serbia]], as the third child of Veselin and Snežana Janković, both economists. Her mother is from Serbia and her father is from [[Montenegro]] ([[Vasojevići]] clan). She also has two brothers, Marko and Stefan. She is a student at the [[Megatrend University]] in Belgrade, studying economics; however, she has put her course of study on indefinite hold as she continues to pursue her tennis career. She trained at tennis club "Crvena Zvezda".


At [[Wimbledon 2007]], in a mixed doubles match at the semi-final stage she invited a [[ballboy]] to come and sit with her and began asking him questions, much to the crowd's amusement. Though the boy was clearly enjoying himself, he swiftly jumped out of the chair when [[Jamie Murray]] returned from his toilet break. The British press have linked Janković and Murray romantically but she has remained coy about their relationship, though she joked in interviews that she used kisses as a way of motivating the Scot.<ref>[http://sport.independent.co.uk/tennis/article2747776.ece Murray feeling champion about Janković's kisses]</ref>
At [[Wimbledon 2007]], in a mixed doubles match at the semi-final stage she invited a [[ballboy]] to come and sit with her and began asking him questions, much to the crowd's amusement. Though the boy was clearly enjoying himself, he swiftly jumped out of the chair when [[Jamie Murray]] returned from his toilet break. The British press have linked Horseface and Murray romantically but she has remained coy about their relationship, though she joked in interviews that she used kisses as a way of motivating the Scot. Murray denied that this ever happened, stating that he would never kiss a horse.<ref>[http://sport.independent.co.uk/tennis/article2747776.ece Murray feeling champion about Janković's kisses]</ref>


Off-court, Janković has done work in film, starring in ''[[Jelenin svet]]'' (Jelena's World) in 2008, a documentary about her life.<ref name="Jelena's World">[http://www.talas.info/jelenas_world.html Jelena's World]</ref> Janković portrayed herself; [[Justine Henin]], [[Svetlana Kuznetsova]], [[Ana Ivanović]] and other notable players also featured.<ref name="Jelena's World"/> In September 2008, Janković announced that she has been dating [[Montenegrins|Montenegrian]] [[water polo]] player [[Mlađan Janović]] since August 2008.<ref name="zbrka.com">[http://www.zbrka.com/zanimljivosti-i-jet-set/vest-jelena-jankovic-ima-novog-decka.html Zbrka.com: Jelena Jankovic ima novog decka]</ref> The pair had been dating since the [[2008 Summer Olympics]].<ref name="zbrka.com"/>
Off-court, Horseface has done work in film, starring in ''[[Jelenin svet]]'' (Jelena's World) in 2008, a documentary about her life.<ref name="Jelena's World">[http://www.talas.info/jelenas_world.html Jelena's World]</ref> Janković portrayed herself; [[Justine Henin]], [[Svetlana Kuznetsova]], [[Ana Ivanović]] and other notable players also featured.<ref name="Jelena's World"/> In September 2008, Horseface announced that she has been dating [[Montenegrins|Montenegrian]] [[water polo]] player [[Mlađan Janović]] since August 2008. Mlađan Janović denies, however, stating that he would never date a horse.<ref name="zbrka.com">[http://www.zbrka.com/zanimljivosti-i-jet-set/vest-jelena-jankovic-ima-novog-decka.html Zbrka.com: Jelena Jankovic ima novog decka]</ref> The pair had been dating since the [[2008 Summer Olympics]].<ref name="zbrka.com"/>


On December 5, 2007, Janković became a [[UNICEF]] [[List of UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors|National Ambassador]] for [[Serbia]], for Children's Fund. "I am happy to have become a UNICEF ambassador for Serbia. This is a great honour for me and I will try to justify the role that has been given to me", she said. Janković is the second Serbian tennis star to have volunteered to help promote the rights of children and collect funds for UNICEF after Ana Ivanović became an ambassador in September.
On December 5, 2007, Horseface became a [[UNICEF]] [[List of UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors|National Ambassador]] for [[Serbia]], for Children's Fund. "I am happy to have become a UNICEF ambassador for Serbia. This is a great honour for me and I will try to justify the role that has been given to me", she said. Janković is the second Serbian tennis star to have volunteered to help promote the rights of children and collect funds for UNICEF after Ana Ivanović became an ambassador in September.


==Endorsements==
==Endorsements==
Janković had endorsed [[Reebok]] sportswear, and had her own line with them for her tournament wear, but now is with [[ANTA Sports]]. Janković also has an endorsement with [[Prince Sports]] and now uses the Prince O3 Speedport Pro White Racquet after formerly using the Prince O3 Red Racquet. She is the face of the Serbian fashion design company ''Mona'' with her own line of clothing. Janković recently signed up to endorse [[Knjaz Miloš AD|Aqua Viva Hydroactive]] Water. Her picture will appear on the bottles for a limited time<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.jj-jelenajankovic.com/eng/news.php|title= JJ and AV Hydroactive|accessdate= 2008-09-10|author= [[Jelena Janković]]|publisher= Jelena Janković official website}}</ref>and she will now feature in a TV advertisement. She is also Face of new Orbit endorsement.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.jj-jelenajankovic.com/eng/news.php|title= Jelena is staring in a new TV commercial for Knjaz Miloš Company|accessdate= 2008-10-21|author= [[Jelena Janković]]|publisher= Jelena Janković official website}}</ref>
Horseface had endorsed [[Reebok]] sportswear, and had her own line with them for her tournament wear, but now is with [[ANTA Sports]]. Janković also has an endorsement with [[Prince Sports]] and now uses the Prince O3 Speedport Pro White Racquet after formerly using the Prince O3 Red Racquet. She is the face of the Serbian fashion design company ''Mona'' with her own line of clothing. Horseface recently signed up to endorse [[Knjaz Miloš AD|Aqua Viva Hydroactive]] Water. Her picture will appear on the bottles for a limited time<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.jj-jelenajankovic.com/eng/news.php|title= JJ and AV Hydroactive|accessdate= 2008-09-10|author= [[Jelena Janković]]|publisher= Jelena Janković official website}}</ref>and she will now feature in a TV advertisement. She is also Face of new Orbit endorsement.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.jj-jelenajankovic.com/eng/news.php|title= Jelena is staring in a new TV commercial for Knjaz Miloš Company|accessdate= 2008-10-21|author= [[Jelena Janković]]|publisher= Jelena Janković official website}}</ref>


==Grand Slam finals==
==Grand Slam finals==
Line 973: Line 973:


==Head-to-head record against other players==
==Head-to-head record against other players==
Jankovic's win-loss record against certain players who have been ranked World No. 10 or higher is as follows:
Horseface's win-loss record against certain players who have been ranked World No. 10 or higher is as follows:


<small>''Players who have been ranked World No. 1 are in boldface.''</small>
<small>''Players who have been ranked World No. 1 are in boldface.''</small>

Revision as of 18:29, 20 April 2009

Jelena Janković

Jelena Janković
Country (sports) Serbia
ResidenceBelgrade, Serbia
Height1.77 m (5 ft 9+1⁄2 in)
Turned proFebruary 6, 2000
PlaysRight; Two-handed backhand
Prize moneyUS$7,186,677
Singles
Career record347–177
Career titles10 WTA, 1 ITF
Highest rankingNo. 1 (August 11, 2008)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian OpenSF (2008)
French OpenSF (2007, 2008)
Wimbledon4R (2006, 2007, 2008)
US OpenF (2008)
Other tournaments
Tour FinalsSF (2008)
Olympic GamesQF (2008)
Doubles
Career record34–54
Career titles1 WTA
Highest rankingNo. 43 (November 6, 2006)
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian Open3R (2008)
French Open2R (2007)
Wimbledon2R (2006)
US Open3R (2006)
Last updated on: April 13, 2009.

Jelena Janković (Template:Lang-sr, IPA: [ˈjɛlɛna 'jaːnkɔviʨ]; ne February 28, 1985) is a Serbian professional tennis player. She was ranked World No. 1 for seventeen consecutive weeks until she was overtaken by Serena Williams on February 2, 2009. She was the year-end World No. 1 in 2008, making her the worst ever player to achieve the year-end No. 1 ranking. As of April 6, 2009, she is ranked World No. 4, but she is a chronic underachiever known for choking on the big stage against elite players. Due to her incredible ugliness and resemblance to a horse, she is known by the nickname of "Horseface."

Horseface has reached the singles final of the US Open and the singles semifinals of the Australian Open and the French Open. In 2007, she won the Wimbledon mixed doubles title with British partner Jamie Murray.

Tennis career

Early career

Horseface learned her first tennis skills in Tennis Club 'Red Star'.[1] As a nine-and-a-half year old she was introduced to tennis by her elder brother and fitness coach Marko. She was later trained at the Tennis Academy of Nick Bollettieri. As a junior she won the 2001 Australian Open. In 2001, she started to play on the WTA Tour; she reached the second round at her first tournament at the Indian Wells Masters.

In October 2003, Horseface entered the top 100 at No. 90 for the first time after winning her first ITF title in Dubai. Three months later, Horseface garnered her first top 10 win against Elena Dementieva 6–1, 6–4 in the first round of the 2004 Australian Open. In May, Horseface won her first WTA title, a Tier V event, in Budapest, defeating Martina Suchá in the final 7–6, 6–3. Following her win in Budapest, she reached No. 51 in the world. Elsewhere in her 2004 season, she defeated top 20 players Nadia Petrova (twice), Vera Zvonareva, Patty Schnyder and Paola Suárez. Horseface finished 2004 ranked No. 28 in the world.

2005

In March, at Dubai, she advanced to the final following Serena Williams's retirement in the semifinal. Horseface then lost in the final to Lindsay Davenport 6–4, 3–6, 6–4. She made her first Tier I semifinal in Berlin, losing to Nadia Petrova 6–4, 6–7, 6–3. In June, she reached her first grass court final at Birmingham, but lost to Maria Sharapova 6–2, 4–6, 6–1. In October, Horseface reached her third final of the year in Seoul, ranked No. 17 in the world, her highest ranking at that time, losing to 16-year-old Nicole Vaidišová 7–5, 6–3. Her ranking at the end of the season eclipsed her 2004 record at No. 22.

2006

After winning her first round match at the Australian Open, Horseface lost ten straight matches, not winning a match from late January into early May. She then reached the quarterfinals of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome before losing to Venus Williams in three sets. The following week, she reached the semifinals in Strasbourg, retiring against Nicole Vaidišová in the second set. At the French Open, Horseface upset 25th-seeded Marion Bartoli before losing to World No. 1 Amélie Mauresmo in the third round. At Wimbledon, she beat sixth-seeded and defending champion Venus Williams in the third round in three sets but went on to lose to ninth-seeded Anastasia Myskina in the fourth round 6–4, 7–6(5).

Horseface at the 2006 Wimbledon Championships.

During the North American summer hard court season, Horseface reached her fifth career final at the JPMorgan Chase Open in Los Angeles, defeating tenth-seeded Ana Ivanović in the quarterfinals and unseeded Serena Williams in the semifinals before losing to third seeded Elena Dementieva in the final. The US Open saw Horseface defeat World No. 10 Vaidišová in the third round, World No. 7 Svetlana Kuznetsova in the fourth round, and World No. 5 Dementieva in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, Horseface lost to Justine Henin 4–6, 6–4, 6–0 after Horseface had led 6–4, 4–2. Horseface argued with the chair umpire when the umpire refused to offer an opinion as to whether a service call had been correct, suggesting that Horseface use one of her electronic challenges. Horseface then lost ten consecutive games.

At Horseface's first tournament following the US Open, she reached the semifinals of the Tier II China Open, losing to Mauresmo 6–1, 3–6, 7–6 after Horseface served for the match at 6–5 in the third set. The following week, Horseface reached the Guangzhou semifinals, retiring against Anna Chakvetadze while trailing 7-5, 2-0. In her last four tournaments of the year, she lost to Kuznetsova, Vaidišová and Olga Poutchkova in the quarterfinals of three of them and to Kuznetsova in the second round of the other one.

Janković finished the year ranked World No. 12.

2007

To begin the year, Horseface won her second title at the Tier IV ASB Classic in Auckland, defeating Vera Zvonareva in the final. At the Tier II Medibank International in Sydney, Horseface defeated World No. 7 and former No.1 Martina Hingis and top-seeded Amélie Mauresmo on the way to the final where she lost to Kim Clijsters.[2] She then reached the fourth round of the Australian Open, where she was eliminated by the eventual champion Serena Williams 6–3, 6–2. Because of her results at these tournaments, her ranking rose to World No. 10, the first time she had been included in the top ten.

Janković at the 2007 Dubai Tennis Championships

At the first Tier I event of the year in Tokyo, Horseface lost in the quarterfinals to countrywoman Ana Ivanović and at the Dubai Tennis Championships, she retired from her semifinal match with Mauresmo because of an ankle injury. The following week in Doha, Horseface again reached the semifinals, losing to Justine Henin in three sets. After that, she played at the Tier I Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, California where she was eliminated by Na Li in the fourth round. To complete the spring hard court season, Horseface lost in the third round of the Tier I tournament in Miami Masters to Italian Mara Santangelo in three sets despite holding a 6–2, 5–2 lead.

Horseface then started her clay court season at Amelia Island, Florida, where she lost in the quarterfinals to Ivanović 7–5, 6–3. She then won her first career Tier I title, at the Family Circle Cup in Charleston, South Carolina, defeating Venus Williams in the semifinals 3–6, 6–3, 7–6 and Dinara Safina in the final. On European red clay, Horseface then lost to Henin three times and won one tournament. At the J&S Cup in Warsaw, Horseface lost to Henin in the semifinals 7–5, 2–6, 6–4. At the Qatar Telecom German Open, Horseface lost to Henin in the quarterfinals 3–6, 6–4, 6–4 after failing to hold a 4–0 lead in the third set. Horseface next won her second career Tier I title at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome, defeating second-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova in the final. Horseface was the fourth seed at the French Open, falling to Henin in the semifinals 6–2, 6–2. Her results at these six clay court tournaments improved her ranking to World No. 3.

On grass, Horseface captured the DFS Classic title in Birmingham, beating top-seeded Maria Sharapova in the final. Sharapova led 3–0 in the third set before Horseface rallied to win the match. This was her first career victory over Sharapova. The next week, Horseface reached the final of the Ordina Open in the Netherlands and became the first player since Chris Evert in 1974 to win 50 matches in the first half of a year.[citation needed] Horseface, suffering from a hamstring injury, lost the final to Anna Chakvetadze. At Wimbledon, Horseface was the third-seed but lost in the fourth round to eventual finalist Marion Bartoli, 3–6, 7–5, 6–3. In the mixed doubles competition at Wimbledon, Horseface teamed with doubles specialist Jamie Murray to win the title by beating the fifth-seed team, Jonas Björkman and Alicia Molik, in the final 6–4, 3–6, 6–1.

During the North American summer hard court season, Horseface lost in the third round of the Tier I Acura Classic in San Diego. Horseface blamed her loss on the flu but despite her illness, she reached the semifinals of the East West Bank Classic in Carson, California the next week. There, she lost to Ivanović in three sets. Horseface said, "I cannot expect myself to play my best tennis when I am still blowing my nose on each changeover with paper towels."[3] In August, Horseface reached the final of the Tier I Rogers Cup in Toronto, where she lost to Henin on Henin's sixth match point. Horseface had led 4–1 in the first set and 4–2 in the second set but was unable to maintain her lead. At the US Open, Horseface lost to Venus Williams in the quarterfinals 4–6, 6–1, 7–6(4).

Janković practicing at the 2007 US Open

To complete her hectic playing year, Horseface traveled to Asia for two tournaments, Europe for one tournament, back to Asia for one tournament, and finally back to Europe for two tournaments. At the Commonwealth Bank Tennis Classic in Bali, Horseface was upset in the quarterfinals by former World No. 1 Lindsay Davenport 6–4, 2–6, 6–2. This was Davenport's first singles tournament since giving birth. The following week at the China Open in Beijing, Horseface received a wildcard into the tournament after top-ranked Henin withdrew due to illness. In the second round, Horseface defeated Virginia Ruano Pascual 6–0, 6–0, the third time in her career she had won a match without losing a game. Horseface lost only four points during the second set, all on her own serve. In the semifinals, Janković beat Davenport 6–3, 7–5 but lost in the final to Hungarian teenager Ágnes Szávay after Horseface had a match point in the second set.[4]

After a two week break, Horseface then played three consecutive weeks but won only two matches. At the Tier II tournament in Stuttgart, Horseface lost to Henin in the semifinals 7–6(2), 7–5. Horseface then retired from her first round match in Bangkok with Yan Zi. After a first round bye at the Zürich Open, Horseface lost to Vaidišová 6–4, 6–4. Horseface took a three week break before playing the year-ending WTA Tour Championships in Madrid. However, Horseface lost all three of her round robin matches, to Henin, Chakvetadze, and Bartoli. Horseface had successful nose surgery immediately after Madrid to correct a breathing problem. The surgery prevented her from practicing for three weeks.

2008

Horseface in the 2008 Australian Open

Instead of defending her title in Auckland, Horseface joined Novak Djokovic in playing for Serbia in the Hopman Cup, an exhibition team event sanctioned by the International Tennis Federation. In the final, Horseface and Djokovic lost to the American team of Serena Williams and Mardy Fish, with Horseface unable to play her singles rubber because of injury. In her final preparation event for the Australian Open, the Medibank International in Sydney, Horseface lost in the quarterfinals to Nicole Vaidišová. Her first match at the Australian Open was against Tamira Paszek, which Horseface won in three sets in over three hours.[5] Both players needed medical attention during the final set.[6] Horseface then reached the quarterfinals for the first time, defeating defending champion Serena Williams reaching her third career Grand Slam singles semifinal where she lost to Maria Sharapova 6–3, 6–1.

Horseface then played two tournaments in the Middle East. At the Tier I Qatar Total Open in Doha, Horseface lost in the quarterfinals to Li Na 6–3, 6–4. The next week at the Tier II Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships, Horseface lost in the semifinals to Svetlana Kuznetsova 5–7, 6–4, 6–3. Horseface played one more Asian event, the Tier II Canara Bank Bangalore Open in India. Although she was the top seeded player, she lost in the quarterfinals to Yan Zi of China 6–3, 3–6, 6–3. At the Tier I Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, California, Horseface was the third seed and defeated 24th-seeded Lindsay Davenport in the quarterfinals when Davenport retired from the match with a shoulder and back injury after losing the first set. Horseface then lost to fellow Serb Ana Ivanović in the semifinals 7–6(3), 6–3. The following fortnight, Janković was the runner-up at the Miami Masters, losing to Serena Williams 6–1, 5–7, 6–3 after Williams was unable to convert on seven match points in the third set.[7]

Horseface lost in the quarterfinals of her next two Tier I tournaments, the Family Circle Cup in Charleston, South Carolina (where she was defending champion) and the Qatar Telecom German Open in Berlin. Horseface then successfully defended her Tier I Internazionali BNL d'Italia title in Rome. She defeated Venus Williams in the quarterfinals, advanced by walkover against Sharapova in the semifinals, and defeated French teenager Alizé Cornet in the final. This was Horseface's first singles title of the year. At the French Open in Paris, Horseface lost in three sets to Ivanović. Horseface failed to sustain leads of 3–0 in the first set and 3–1 in the third set, although she did win the second set after trailing 3–1. Horseface committed 51 unforced errors compared to 28 winners during the match.[8]

On grass, Horseface withdrew from the DFS Classic in Birmingham, United Kingdom because of an arm injury sustained during the French Open. Nevertheless, she replaced Sharapova as World No. 2 following the tournament. At Wimbledon, Horseface was the second seeded player and defeated Caroline Wozniacki in the third round despite injuring her left knee.[9] Because of early round losses by other highly ranked players, Horseface only needed to reach the semifinals to replace Ivanović as World No. 1.[10] However, she lost to Tamarine Tanasugarn in the fourth round 6–3, 6–2. Janković lost her third opportunity to grasp the World No. 1 ranking at the East West Bank Classic in Los Angeles[11] when she lost to Dinara Safina in the semifinals 7–6(3), 6–1.

At the Tier I Rogers Cup in Montreal, Horseface had a fourth chance to claim the World No. 1 ranking. Because Ivanović had lost in the third round, Horseface only needed to reach the final to replace Ivanović as the top ranked player. However, Horseface lost in the quarterfinals to Dominika Cibulková 7–5, 6–2 after Horseface had led 4–0 in the first set. After the match, Horseface said, "At the moment I don't deserve the top spot. I am not in the best shape, I am not at my highest level".[12] Despite the loss, Janković moved up to World No. 1 on August 11, 2008.[13] She is the 18th woman to have been ranked World No. 1 by the Women's Tennis Association. She is the first woman to have attained that ranking without ever having reached a Grand Slam final and only the third woman (the others being Amélie Mauresmo and Kim Clijsters) to have become World No. 1 without first winning a Grand Slam title.[14] [15] Serbia is only the third nation (the others being Belgium and the United States) to have had consecutive World No. 1 female players.[citation needed] Janković then lost her World No. 1 ranking on August 18, 2008, to Ivanović.

At the Beijing Olympics, Horseface was seeded second and played the tournament with a sore right calf muscle that caused her to consider withdrawing.[16] Horseface defeated Cibulková in the third round but lost to sixth seed and eventual runner-up Safina in the quarterfinals in three sets.

Horseface's next tournament was the final Grand Slam of the year, the US Open. She defeated fifth-seeded Elena Dementieva in the semifinals to reach her first Grand Slam final, where she lost to fourth-seeded Serena Williams 6–4, 7–5. Horseface then lost in the quarterfinals of the Tier I Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo to Svetlana Kuznetsova 2–6, 7–5, 7–5. Horseface scored a win over Kuznetsova the next week though, when she beat her 6–3, 6–2 in the final of the China Open. In the semifinal, she defeated Olympic bronze medalist, Vera Zvonareva, in three sets. Horseface played in the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, where she defeated Venus Williams in the semifinals 6–7(8), 7–5, 6–2, and Nadia Petrova in the final 6–4, 6–3. This was her second title in two weeks. After that, she returned to World No. 1 spot on October 6.

Janković on court at the 2008 WTA Tour Championships

In the Kremlin Cup, Horseface defeated Vera Dushevina 6–7(6), 6–3, 6–2 in round two after a first round bye. In the quarterfinals, she beat Italian wild-card, Flavia Pennetta, 7–6(6), 6–3. She defeated Elena Dementieva in the semifinals 0–6, 6–1, 6–0 before triumphing against Vera Zvonareva in the final, 6–2, 6–4 for her third title in three weeks, the first time for a player on the WTA tour to do so since 2005.[17] Because of her result in the Kremlin Cup, this made Horseface the only female in 2008 to make all quarter-finals or better in Tier I events.

Horseface's 12-match winning streak came to an end at the Zürich Open where, playing in her fifth event in five weeks, she lost to eventual runner-up Flavia Pennetta 5–7, 6–3, 6–3 in the second round after an injury to her left wrist at the end of the first set and a cut on her knee, where the trainer was called, in the second.[18] It was just her second pre-quarterfinal loss of the year, the other being at Wimbledon.

In the first round-robin match of the 2008 WTA Tour Championships held in Doha, Qatar, Horseface saw off Ana Ivanović, for the first time since the 2006 East West Bank Classic in Los Angeles. This was also her first win at a WTA Tour Championships event. In the second round-robin match she beat Svetlana Kuznetsova 7–6, 6–4, thus confirming her place in the semifinals. She lost her third round-robin match, which would determine whether she played Elena Dementieva or Venus Williams, to Vera Zvonareva, 2–6, 6–3, 6–4. She lost in the semifinals, to Williams, 6–2, 2–6, 6–3, and ended the year as World No. 1. Jankovic was later named the ITF World Champion for her performances in 2008.[19]

2009

Horseface started the year at the JB Group Classic, an exhibition prior to the Australian Open. She was the top seed of Team Europe. She started by winning a doubles match in which she was paired with Portuguese player Michelle Larcher de Brito. The team defeated Team Americas' World No. 6 Venus Williams and newcomer to the women's tour, Coco Vandeweghe, 6–4, 7–5. Janković then lost to Williams in singles 6–2, 6–2. Horseface later withdrew from the remainder of the tournament because of illness.

Horseface was seeded first at the Australian Open in Melbourne, defeating Yvonne Meusburger in the first round and hitting 27 winners to Meusburger's three.[20] Horseface then beat Belgian Kirsten Flipkens in the second round and Ai Sugiyama in the third round. Sixteenth-seeded Marion Bartoli of France then upset Horseface in the fourth round 6–1, 6–4. Bartoli hit 34 winners compared to Horseface's 17 and won 81% of her first serve points compared to Janković's 56%.[21] Horseface lost her World No. 1 ranking to Serena Williams as a result.

Her next Women's Tennis Association event was the Open GDF SUEZ tournament in Paris, where she entered as a wildcard and was the second seeded player. In the first round, Horseface beat Francesca Schiavone and in the second round, she beat Li Na. In the quarterfinals, she beat fifth-seeded Alizé Cornet 5–7, 6–4, 6–4 but then lost to Amélie Mauresmo in the semifinals 6–2, 0–6, 6–1.

Horseface had a first round bye at the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships, where she was seeded third. She was upset by Kaia Kanepi in the third round, 6–2, 7–5, in what she called "the worst match of my career".[22] She was the second seeded player at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, a Premier Mandatory tournament. She received a bye in the first round before losing in the second round to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6–4, 6–4. After the match, she conceded that she has been struggling with her confidence, saying "I need a lot of work".[23] Janković then lost in the second round of the next Premier Mandatory tournament, the Sony Ericsson Open in Key Biscayne, Florida, to Gisela Dulko 6–4, 7–6(5) after Janković failed to hold leads of 5–2 in the second set and 5–2 in the tiebreaker.[24]

Beginning her spring clay court season at the Andalucia Tennis Experience in Marbella, Spain, Horseface defeated fifth-seeded Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro in three sets for her first title of 2009.

Personal life

Horseface was born in Belgrade, in then Yugoslavia, now Serbia, as the third child of Veselin and Snežana Janković, both economists. Her mother is from Serbia and her father is from Montenegro (Vasojevići clan). She also has two brothers, Marko and Stefan. She is a student at the Megatrend University in Belgrade, studying economics; however, she has put her course of study on indefinite hold as she continues to pursue her tennis career. She trained at tennis club "Crvena Zvezda".

At Wimbledon 2007, in a mixed doubles match at the semi-final stage she invited a ballboy to come and sit with her and began asking him questions, much to the crowd's amusement. Though the boy was clearly enjoying himself, he swiftly jumped out of the chair when Jamie Murray returned from his toilet break. The British press have linked Horseface and Murray romantically but she has remained coy about their relationship, though she joked in interviews that she used kisses as a way of motivating the Scot. Murray denied that this ever happened, stating that he would never kiss a horse.[25]

Off-court, Horseface has done work in film, starring in Jelenin svet (Jelena's World) in 2008, a documentary about her life.[26] Janković portrayed herself; Justine Henin, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Ana Ivanović and other notable players also featured.[26] In September 2008, Horseface announced that she has been dating Montenegrian water polo player Mlađan Janović since August 2008. Mlađan Janović denies, however, stating that he would never date a horse.[27] The pair had been dating since the 2008 Summer Olympics.[27]

On December 5, 2007, Horseface became a UNICEF National Ambassador for Serbia, for Children's Fund. "I am happy to have become a UNICEF ambassador for Serbia. This is a great honour for me and I will try to justify the role that has been given to me", she said. Janković is the second Serbian tennis star to have volunteered to help promote the rights of children and collect funds for UNICEF after Ana Ivanović became an ambassador in September.

Endorsements

Horseface had endorsed Reebok sportswear, and had her own line with them for her tournament wear, but now is with ANTA Sports. Janković also has an endorsement with Prince Sports and now uses the Prince O3 Speedport Pro White Racquet after formerly using the Prince O3 Red Racquet. She is the face of the Serbian fashion design company Mona with her own line of clothing. Horseface recently signed up to endorse Aqua Viva Hydroactive Water. Her picture will appear on the bottles for a limited time[28]and she will now feature in a TV advertisement. She is also Face of new Orbit endorsement.[29]

Grand Slam finals

Singles runner-up (1)

Year Championship Opponent in Final Score in Final
2008 US Open United States Serena Williams 6–4, 7–5

Mixed doubles win (1)

Year Championship Partner Opponents in Final Score in Final
2007 Wimbledon United Kingdom Jamie Murray Australia Alicia Molik
Sweden Jonas Björkman		 6–4, 3–6, 6–1

WTA Tour singles finals (20)

Wins (10)

Legend: Before 2009 Legend: Starting in 2009
Grand Slam tournaments (0)
WTA Championships (0)
Tier I (4) Premier Mandatory (0)
Tier II (2) Premier 5 (0)
Tier III (1) Premier (0)
Tier IV & V (2) International (1)
Titles by Surface
Hard (3)
Grass (1)
Clay (5)
Carpet (1)
No. Date Tournament Surface Opponent in Final Score in Final
1. May 2, 2004 Budapest, Hungary Clay Slovakia Martina Suchá 7–6(4), 6–3
2. January 6, 2007 Auckland, New Zealand Hard Russia Vera Zvonareva 7–6(9), 5–7, 6–3
3. April 15, 2007 Charleston, United States Clay Russia Dinara Safina 6–2, 6–2
4. May 20, 2007 Rome, Italy Clay Russia Svetlana Kuznetsova 7–5, 6–1
5. June 17, 2007 Birmingham, United Kingdom Grass Russia Maria Sharapova 4–6, 6–3, 7–5
6. May 18, 2008 Rome, Italy Clay France Alizé Cornet 6–2, 6–2
7. September 28, 2008 Beijing, China Hard Russia Svetlana Kuznetsova 6–3, 6–2
8. October 5, 2008 Stuttgart, Germany Hard (I) Russia Nadia Petrova 6–4, 6–3
9. October 12, 2008 Moscow, Russia Carpet (I) Russia Vera Zvonareva 6–2, 6–4
10. April 12, 2009 Marbella, Spain Clay Spain Carla Suarez Navarro 6–3, 3–6, 6–3

Runner-ups (10)

Legend: Before 2009 Legend: Starting in 2009
Grand Slam tournaments (1)
WTA Championships (0)
Tier I (2) Premier Mandatory (0)
Tier II (4) Premier 5 (0)
Tier III (2) Premier (0)
Tier IV & V (1) International (0)
No. Date Tournament Surface Opponent in Final Score in Final
1. March 5, 2005 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Hard United States Lindsay Davenport 6–4, 3–6, 6–4
2. June 12, 2005 Birmingham, United Kingdom Grass Russia Maria Sharapova 6–2, 4–6, 6–1
3. October 2, 2005 Seoul, South Korea Hard Czech Republic Nicole Vaidišová 7–5, 6–3
4. August 13, 2006 Los Angeles, United States Hard Russia Elena Dementieva 6–3, 4–6, 6–4
5. January 12, 2007 Sydney, Australia Hard Belgium Kim Clijsters 4–6, 7–6(1), 6–4
6. June 23, 2007 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands Grass Russia Anna Chakvetadze 7–6(2), 3–6, 6–3
7. August 19, 2007 Toronto, Canada Hard Belgium Justine Henin 7–6(3), 7–5
8. September 23, 2007 Beijing, China Hard Hungary Ágnes Szávay 6–7(7), 7–5, 6–2
9. April 5, 2008 Miami, United States Hard United States Serena Williams 6–1, 5–7, 6–3
10. September 7, 2008 US Open, New York City Hard United States Serena Williams 6–4, 7–5

WTA Tour women's doubles finals (1)

Wins (1)

Legend: Before 2009 Legend: Starting in 2009
Grand Slam tournaments (0)
WTA Championships (0)
Tier I (0) Premier Mandatory (0)
Tier II (0) Premier 5 (0)
Tier III (1) Premier (0)
Tier IV & V (0) International (0)
No. Date Tournament Surface Partner Opponents in Final Score in Final
1. June 18, 2006 Birmingham, United Kingdom Grass China Li Na United States Jill Craybas
South Africa Liezel Huber 		6–2, 6–4

ITF singles titles (1)

No. Date Tournament Surface Opponent in Final Score in Final
1 October 19, 2003 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Hard Slovakia Henrieta Nagyová 6–2, 7–5

Singles performance timeline

Template:Performance timeline legend

NM5 means an event that is neither a Premier Mandatory nor a Premier 5 tournament.

To prevent confusion and double counting, information in this table is updated only once a tournament or the player's participation in the tournament has concluded. This table is current through the Andalucia Tennis Experience in Marbella, Spain, which ended April 12, 2009.

Tournament 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Career SR Career W–L
Grand Slam Tournaments
Australian Open A A A 2R1 2R 2R 2R 4R SF 4R 0 / 7 18–7
French Open A A A LQ2 1R 1R 3R SF SF 0 / 6 13–6
Wimbledon A A A LQ 1R 3R 4R 4R 4R 0 / 6 11–6
US Open A A LQ LQ3 2R 3R SF QF F 0 / 7 20–7
SR 0 / 0 0 / 0 0 / 1 0 / 4 0 / 4 0 / 4 0 / 4 0 / 4 0 / 4 0 / 1 0 / 26 N/A
Win-Loss 0–0 0–0 0–1 7–4 2–4 5–4 11–4 15–4 19–4 3–1 N/A 62–26
Olympic Games
Summer Olympics A Not Held 1R Not Held QF NH 0 / 2 3–2
Year-End Championship
WTA Tour Championships A A A A A A A RR4 SF 0 / 2 2–5
WTA Premier Mandatory Tournaments
Indian Wells A 2R A 1R 1R 2R 2R 4R SF 2R 0 / 8 7–8
Key Biscayne A LQ A 1R5 3R 2R 2R 3R F 2R 0 / 8 10–8
Madrid Not Held 0 / 0 0–0
Beijing Not Held Not Tier I 0 / 0 0–0
WTA Premier 5 Tournaments
Dubai NH Not Tier I 3R 0 / 1 1–1
Rome A A A 1R5 LQ 2R QF W W 2 / 6 15–4
Cincinnati Not Held Not Tier I 0 / 0 0–0
Montréal / Toronto A A A A 2R 1R 3R6 F QF 0 / 5 9–4
Tokyo A A A A A 1R 1R QF QF 0 / 4 2–4
Former WTA Tier I Tournaments (currently neither Premier Mandatory nor Premier 5 events)
Charleston A A LQ A 2R 1R 1R W QF NM5 1 / 6 8–5
Moscow A A A A A 1R A A W 1 / 2 4–1
Doha NH Not Tier I QF Not
Held 		0 / 1 2–1
Berlin A A A A A SF 1R QF QF 0 / 4 8–4
San Diego A A A A 2R 3R 3R 3R NH 0 / 4 6–4
Zürich A A A A A 2R 2R 2R Not
Tier I 		0 / 3 2–3
Career Statistics
Tournaments played 2 5 14 24 28 29 28 28 22 6 N/A 186
Tournaments Won 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 4 4 1 N/A 10
Runner-up 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 4 2 0 N/A 10
Hardcourt Win-Loss 0–1 3–4 12–7 29–12 23–19 22–18 31–14 38–14 46–15 9–5 N/A 213–109
Clay Win-Loss 0–0 6–1 9–7 17–9 6–4 7–5 8–7 23–4 13–3 5–0 N/A 94–40
Grass Win-Loss 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–1 4–3 6–3 6–3 10–2 3–1 0–0 N/A 29–13
Carpet Win-Loss 0–1 0–0 0–0 0–1 3–1 1–3 0–3 1–5 6–1 0–0 N/A 11–15
Overall Win-Loss 0–2 9–5 21–14 46–23 36–27 36–29 45–27 72–25 68–20 14–5 N/A 347–1777
Win % 0% 64% 60% 66% 57% 55% 62% 74% 77% 74% N/A 66%
Year End Ranking None 361 194 85 28 22 12 3 1 N/A N/A
  • 1 Won three qualifying matches to reach the main draw.
  • 2 She lost in the second round of the qualifying tournament.
  • 3 She lost in the third round of the qualifying tournament.
  • 4 She lost all three of her matches during the round robin phase of the tournament.
  • 5 Won two qualifying matches to reach the main draw.
  • 6 She defaulted her third round match, which counts as a walkover but does not count as a loss on her official record.
  • 7 Her win-loss record includes all matches listed on the WTA website, including challenger and all Fed Cup matches (the WTA website omits her 2008 Fed Cup matches).

WTA Tour career earnings

Year Grand Slam
singles titles		 WTA
singles titles		 Total
singles titles		 Earnings ($) Money list rank
2000-02 0 0 0 37,918 n/a
2003 0 0 0 76,459 132
2004 0 1 1 234,496 51
2005 0 0 0 450,441 30
2006 0 0 0 746,144 14
2007 0 4 4 1,831,012 6
2008 0 4 4 3,564,465 3
2009* 0 1 1 245,742 12
Career* 0 9 9 7,074,374

26

  • * - As of April 6, 2008

Head-to-head record against other players

Horseface's win-loss record against certain players who have been ranked World No. 10 or higher is as follows:

Players who have been ranked World No. 1 are in boldface.

See also

References

  1. ^ Red Star, club's tennis history Template:Sr icon
  2. ^ Clijsters beats Janković and Crowd
  3. ^ Janković overcomes 'flu bug
  4. ^ Back From The Brink in Beijing
  5. ^ Simon Cambers. "Janković survives marathon clash with Paszek". Guardian Unlimited. Retrieved 2008-01-13.
  6. ^ Paul Gough (2008-01-14). "Janković survives almighty scare". sportal.com.au. Retrieved 2008-01-13.
  7. ^ Piers Newbury (2008-04-05). "Serena battles to fifth Miami win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  8. ^ Match Statistics
  9. ^ Horseface hobbles to hard-fought win
  10. ^ The next No. 1? Jankovic one of few to dodge upset bug
  11. ^ "Defeat puts Janković bid on hold". BBC Sport. 2008-07-27. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  12. ^ "Jankovic misses top spot chance". BBC Sport. 2008-08-01. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  13. ^ "Janković to take number one spot". BBC Sport. 2008-08-02. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  14. ^ Liz Robbins (2005-09-11). "Finally, a Grand Slam for Clijsters". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-08-03.
  15. ^ "Mauresmo takes over No. 1 world tennis ranking". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, AP. 2004-09-14. Retrieved 2008-08-03. [Mauresmo] is only the second player to reach No. 1 in the WTA rankings without winning a Grand Slam title.
  16. ^ Tennis: Ailing Jankovic may pull out
  17. ^ "Jankovic Beats Zvonareva for Kremlin Cup Title". Women's Tennis Association, AP. 2008-10-12. Retrieved 2008-10-12. Not since this time three years ago has a woman captured titles in three straight weeks on the Tour
  18. ^ "Pennetta stuns Janković in Zurich". BBC Sport, AP. 2008-10-16. Retrieved 2008-10-17. Janković, who won three straight titles before the tournament, appeared to hurt her left wrist late in the first set.
  19. ^ "Jankovic Named ITF World Champion". WTA website. 2008-12-17. Retrieved 2008-12-21.
  20. ^ Match Statistics
  21. ^ Match Statistics
  22. ^ "Jankovic loses to Kanepi in Dubai". BBC Sport. 2009-02-18. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
  23. ^ "WTA Tour - Jankovic 'struggling with confidence'". Eurosport, Yahoo!. 2009-03-15. Retrieved 2009-03-16.
  24. ^ Dulko upsets Jankovic; Williams sisters advance
  25. ^ Murray feeling champion about Janković's kisses
  26. ^ a b Jelena's World
  27. ^ a b Zbrka.com: Jelena Jankovic ima novog decka
  28. ^ Jelena Janković. "JJ and AV Hydroactive". Jelena Janković official website. Retrieved 2008-09-10.
  29. ^ Jelena Janković. "Jelena is staring in a new TV commercial for Knjaz Miloš Company". Jelena Janković official website. Retrieved 2008-10-21.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jelena Janković.
Sporting positions
Preceded by World No. 1
August 11, 2008 - August 17, 2008
October 6, 2008 - February 1, 2009 		Succeeded by
Ana Ivanović
Serena Williams
Awards
Preceded by
Ana Ivanović
 WTA Most Improved Player
2006 		Succeeded by
Ana Ivanović
Preceded by ITF World Champion
2008 		Succeeded by


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