Jankovic through to HK Open third round

Hong Kong - Defending champion Jelena Jankovic of Serbia beat compatriot Aleksandra Krunic in straight sets Wednesday to reach the third round of the Hong Kong Open.

The number seven seed dispatched Krunic, who is ranked 141 in the world, 6-4, 6-3 in under 90 minutes. Jankovic will now face either Venus Williams or Alize Cornet of France in the next stage.

Top seed Angelique Kerber of Germany, who was defeated by Jankovic in the final last year, was leading America's Louisa Chirico 2-1 in the third set when rain stopped play for the evening.

Kerber had dominated the first set 6-2 but her opponent, with a singles ranking of 60, fought back to take the second 6-3. The American faces a break point when play resumes tomorrow.

Also on court Thursday are Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki and Britain's Heather Watson, while Qiang Wang of China takes on Britain's Johanna Konta in the second round.