Jelena Jankovic enjoyed her taste of the big time at Flushing Meadows, even though she did have to settle for being runner-up. Playing the first grand slam final of her career, the Serbian second seed, 23, contributed to one of the most entertaining women's singles finals in recent memory before losing to Serena Williams. While Williams was always going to be the favourite of the capacity 23,763 crowd at the Arthur Ashe Stadium, Jankovic's personality also proved a winner when her game could not quite do it.
As animated on court as she is athletic, Jankovic was always eager to share her emotions with fans. There was another aspect to her magnetism as she became as interested as the crowd in what was going on up on the giant video screen that looms over the largest tennis stadium in the world. After every exciting point or good winner, she would glance up and admire her handiwork and during the changeovers she would watch the screens for the fans' 15 seconds of fame as the camera panned the stands.
The love of the occasion also, perhaps, helped to explain why after the match Jankovic sat in her chair calmly applying lipstick while Williams celebrated. "I thought I should have got an Oscar for all this drama throughout the week. Despite getting a trophy, I should gotten a trophy for acting, for my drama. I think I've done a great job," she joked. The antics and the jokes should not detract from what was a great effort by Jankovic these past two weeks, however, and the Serbian was justly proud to have rounded out a problematic year by reaching her first grand slam final.
"I had a great two weeks, I really fought hard out there in every match and I really gave everything I had," she said. "I let my opportunities slip away, but overall I'm happy that I made it to the final." * PA Sport
