rediff.com
News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » Sports » Dementieva, Jankovic look to shed nearly-women tag

Dementieva, Jankovic look to shed nearly-women tag

Last updated on: June 3, 2010 10:39 IST

Image: Elena Dementieva
Photographs: Reuters

Elena Dementieva and Jelena Jankovic, two of the nearly women of the game, will bid for another crack at Grand Slam glory in the French Open semi-finals.

Russian Dementieva, beaten in the Paris final in 2004, meets Italy's Francesca Schiavone, while Jankovic, the US Open runner-up in 2008, plays Australian Sam Stosur.

In the 2004 final, Dementieva's nerves got the better of her and she won only four games against compatriot Anastasia Myskina.

The fifth seed has reached the semi-finals of all four grand slams but hopes she can cope with the pressure better this time round.

"You cannot think about winning a Grand Slam, it's a two- week competition and anything can happen," Dementieva said.

"I'm just glad to be in the semi-finals. Let's see if I can handle this challenge," she added.

'I just play my game and give my maximum'

Image: Jelena Jankovic

Seventh seed Stosur knocked out four-times champion Justine Henin and world number one Serena Williams on her way to the semi-finals for the second successive year.

"She's beaten two really good players, Justine and Serena, which shows she's in top form," fourth seed Jankovic said.

"I just want to go out there and play my game and give my maximum, and what happens, happens," she added.

Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.