French Open Betting / Barry Millns / 05 June 2008 /

Barry Millns expects the hard hitting Serb to triumph in Paris

This is becoming a habit - three Serbian players have reached the singles semi-finals at another grand slam. Just as they did at last year's French Open and this year's Australian Open so Novak Djokovic, Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic have again all reached the last four at Roland Garros.

For the third year running Djokovic must now try to overcome the defending champion Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard leads their head-to-head 7-3 and while Djokovic beat Rafa en route to becoming his country's first grand slam singles champion this year at Melbourne Park, the Spaniard won their last thrilling encounter on clay in Hamburg and goes into this next contest playing arguably better on the surface than he has ever done before - which is saying something!

Before that Friday feast, though, comes the intriguing all-Serbian clash between Ivanovic and Jankovic, currently trading at [1.41] and [3.4] respectively to win their latest encounter. They head into it knowing that on Saturday, one of them could not only become Serbia's first female grand slam singles champion but also Serbia's first world No.1 of either gender.

Just like Djokovic they are two of the most competitive players on their Tour, toughened by the experience of growing up in Belgrade in the war-torn years of their childhood. From such hardship has come an immense hunger to succeed at the highest level which is palpable.

Although three years younger than her compatriot, the 20 year-old Ivanovic knows what it takes to win a grand slam semi-final having finished runner-up at Roland Garros to Justine Henin twelve months ago and then to Maria Sharapova in this year's Australian Open final. Ivanovic also leads their head-to-head series 5-1, having won all of the last four meetings including their only clay-court encounter last year at Amelia Island.

Most recently Ivanovic beat Jankovic in straight sets in the semi-finals of Indian Wells where she went on to become champion. Yet prior to Paris her best clay court result of the season was reaching the semi-finals in Berlin whereas Jankovic successfully defended her title in Rome.

The fact that they both have six career titles, have amassed over $4million in prize-money and have each won 44 grand slam singles matches going into this one underlines how closely matched they are. But although their meetings have always been close, Jankovic admits she finds Ivanovic's shots hard to read.

Ivanovic, who has enjoyed a much easier run through the fortnight, has the edge on serve and hits the ball harder than Jankovic, but the latter believes clay can help her turn the tables. "She has some weaknesses in her game, and I really need to play well tactically, play the right shots and attack," Jankovic said. "I move well on clay, and I know how to mix up the game."
Jankovic has been beset by injuries and illness throughout her campaign in Paris and even flew back to Serbia between matches for treatment to her sore right arm. Yet Ivanovic will not underestimate her compatriot and is well aware of the threat she poses: "She's a tough opponent and she defends really well," Ivanovic commented. "I'll try to step in and be aggressive and play my game."

That said Ivanovic will start as favourite and with Sharapova, the Williams sisters and Henin all out of the way she should be on top of the world come Saturday evening, in more ways than one.

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