Jankovic joins Bangalore party

The Bangalore Open has received another boost with world number four Jelena Jankovic...

The Bangalore Open has received another boost with world number four Jelena Jankovic of Serbia confirming her participation in the tennis tournament to be held here from March 3-9.

Other top guns that this $ 600,000 Tier II WTA event has already attracted include the Williams sisters — Serena and Venus, Switzerland’s Patty Schnyder and Agnes Szavay of Hungary.

An entertainer with a never-say-die spirit, the 22-year-old Jankovic reached semi-finals of the US Open in 2006 and the same stage at the 2007 French and 2008 Australian Open.

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“She (Jankovic) is considered one of the toughest players in the game and as the top-ranked player here, she will start as one of the favourites but with such strong opposition it will be a test of her character and skill to capture the title,” tournament director Sunder Raju said.

Jankovic said she was looking forward to playing a tough tournament here. “It is great to be part of India’s first Tier II tennis extravaganza. I look forward to play some tough tennis in front of a passionate lovers of the sport,” she said in a statement.

Known for her defensive abilities and footwork, she won the first Grand Slam title of her career in mixed doubles at Wimbledon 2007.

The winner of the Bangalore Open would take home $ 95,500 and 300 WTA points.