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Hong Kong - Jelena Jankovic on Saturday edged past Venus William's in a two-setter Hong Kong Open's semi-finals to face Germany's Angelique Kerber.
The Serbian former world No 1 stepped into the way of the seven-time Grand Slam winner who had banked on Hong Kong to get the points she needs to make the top eight for Singapore WTA finals.
"It was a good match for me. I fought
hard. Playing against Venus is never an easy task. She is such a great
champion...I am glad I was able to beat her tonight," Jankovic told
reporters after the 7-5, 6-4 match that lasted for two hours and four minutes.
With a bandage on her left thigh, 35-year-old Williams stood 4-5 down after her three double faults in the ninth game in the first set.
3-0 up in the following set, the third-seeded American player was hit by a comeback from fourth-seeded Jankovic who went on to win seven of the following nine games to finish the match.
Jankovic is to play Kerber on Sunday who eased through her semi-finals in a 6-2, 6-2 victory against Australian Samantha Stosur.
"She's (Kerber) is a little bit (of a) different player to Venus. She is very solid...I really have to play aggressive," Jankovic said.
World number 9 Kerber, the top seed left in the tournament, now only needs one more win to qualify for the WTA finals after cruising into the finals in just one hour and 11 minutes.
"I'm really happy about my performance today. I am actually not thinking too much about this one win tomorrow. It's another day. It's another match. I will just try to play good tennis and try to win the final here," Kerber said.
