- 19 Jan 2010, 19:16
#1757936
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP)—Jelena Jankovic wonders if the recent return of two of tennis’ biggest stars will help her improve her own chances at success.
Much attention at this year’s Australian Open has been paid to Belgians Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin—both of whom are back in action after ending premature retirements.
“I think it’s great for tennis that Kim and Justine are back,” the former No. 1-ranked Jankovic said after breezing through her first-round match Tuesday against Romania’s Monica Niculescu 6-4, 6-0.
“They always motivated me to work hard on my game. And I played some of my best tennis at the time they were playing,” said the No. 8-seeded Serbian player.
“It doesn’t really sound logical that I’m happy they’re back … (but) they always bring out the best in me.”
“I made some errors in the beginning, and then I just tried to stay calm and just tried to focus. Then I came back into the game,” the 24-year-old Jankovic said. “I finished the job in two sets, and didn’t need any more than that.”
She was buoyed by rowdy support from fellow Serbs who filled the stands at the Hisense Arena, the tournament’s second show court.
“We have Serbian fans everywhere around the world. But I think here it’s a little bit more,” Jankovic said. “They’re more involved and very, very loud, which I really, really love.”
“It was very cold and windy,” Ivanovic said. “I just tried to work my way through, just taking time and trying to stay composed.”
“I’m very happy to have a victory,” said Ivanovic, who has become a crowd favorite Down Under since she began dating Australian professional golfer Adam Scott. She didn’t want to talk about Scott on Tuesday. When asked if he was in Melbourne to watch the tennis, as he had done at a warmup tournament in Brisbane, she replied, flatly: “No. He’s not here.”
mislilo da ce Mara do titule.
