Jankovic sends Hingis home

Dubai: Fast-improving Jelena Jankovic dumped fourth seed and former world No 1 Martina Hingis 7-6 (3), 6-2 to move into the semifinals of the Dubai Duty Free Women's Open yesterday.

Jankovic, a losing finalist here two years back, was in command throughout the one hour and 25 minutes on court to ease her way to her second win against the Swiss Miss in as many months.

Second seed Amelie Mauresmo was stretched to the limit before carving out a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 win against eighth seeded Daniela Hantuchova to set up a semifinal meeting against Jankovic today.

Third seed Svetlana Kuznetsova, who has never advanced past the semifinals in four visits here, waved off Switzerland's Patty Schnyder 6-3, 6-4 to set up a meeting against top seed Justine Henin, who brushed aside Eleni Daniilidou 6-0, 6-2 in just over one hour.

The biggest upset of the day was when Hingis, winner of the inaugural Dubai Duty Free Women's Open in 2001, caved in to Jankovic.

"I had my chances when she was not playing too well at the start. But I did not take them," Hingis lamented.

Hingis had her chance early in the first while leading 3-1. The set dragged into the tie-breaker and Jankovic raced to a 3-0 lead. "But I just couldn't take advantage of the situation," she added. "I think she was a better player in the tie-break."

This was the second time in as many months that the former world No 1 - one of three players who have claimed a Sony Ericsson WTA Tour singles title this season - has lost to Jankovic going down to the Serbian in three sets at the Sydney Open.

But Hingis was convinced that she could have taken Jankovic on had she been in prime physical condition.

"I wish I could play her when I was fresh. But I simply did not have enough recovery time," Hingis lamented.

"I felt I could have slept on the court instead of going home and then playing against her. The fatigue set in after the first set and I could see it."

Mauresmo and Kuznetsova had contrasting wins with the Frenchwoman being stretched to three sets by a gutsy Hantuchova, while Kuznetsova eased past sixth seed Schnyder.

"I was in control in the first set and then suddenly I went off to sleep in the second," Mauresmo said.

"It was not easy as this is only my second match outdoors," she added.

Kuznetsova was relishing a possible opportunity to take on Hingis in today's first semifinal. "Justine Henin is one of the most unpredictable players. I just want to go out there and keep my patience and feel no pressure against her," the Russian stated.

See also Page 38