Bartoli topples Jankovic

Marion Bartoli makes a return on her way to defeating Serbia's Jelena Jankovic.

The top seed and world No 1 Jelena Jankovic has been knocked out of the Australian Open after Marion Bartoli won their fourth-round encounter in straight sets 6-1 6-4. The 16th seed completely outclassed her more illustrious opponent in the first set as Jankovic appeared somewhat out of sorts. The Serb proved more competitive in the second but a combination of crucial errors and fine play from Bartoli ensured Jankovic's quest for a maiden grand slam will continue. Bartoli broke Jankovic on her opening service game, producing a fierce backhand to take the early advantage. The Frenchwoman's backhand was working well and a fine cross-court winner was followed by a delightful lob as she consolidated with a hold. Bartoli again broke the world No 1 before the latter finally got going in the fifth game but could not convert three break points as her opponent battled back to establish a 5-0 lead. Jankovic survived two set points to finally take her first game of the match but it proved a temporary respite as Bartoli closed out the set in just 31 minutes. Jankovic was clearly becoming increasingly frustrated by Bartoli's pinpoint ground strokes but held her serve in the opening game of the second. However the 16th seed claimed another break in the third, Jankovic producing a double fault with her opponent standing almost on the service line to receive the Serb's second serve. A backhand pass down the line saw Jankovic claim her opponent's serve and the top seed then dug deep to hold but Bartoli broke again in seventh game to take a 4-3 lead. However, Jankovic converted the second of two break points with a backhand to reignite hopes of a comeback. But a lengthy deuce on the top seed's next service game went the way of the Frenchwoman and she subsequently served out the match to claim an impressive victory. "I just played amazingly today and I'm so happy that I could put in a good performance," Bartoli said. "I just tried to play my game and hang tough. I knew Jelena would fight until the end and the last game was really tough but I served really well in the last game." Bartoli will now play Vera Zvonareva who beat fellow Russian Nadia Petrova 7-5 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals for the first time. Zvonareva won the first set when Petrova dropped her serve in the 11th game on a double-fault and then broke her immediately at the start of the second. Zvonareva, seeded seventh at Melbourne Park this year, has not made a grand slam quarter-final since the 2003 French Open. *PA Sport