Serena Bounced in Australia

No. 3 ranked Jankovic knocks off the defending champ in straight sets
By Mike Buss,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 22, 2008 12:00 AM CST
Serena Bounced in Australia
Serbia's Jelena Jankovic returns to Serena Williams of the United States during their Women's singles quarterfinal match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008. Jankovic won in straight sets to advance to the semifinals. (AP Photo/Rick Stevens)   (Associated Press)

Third-ranked Jelena Jankovic ended the run of defending champion Serena Williams today in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, 6-3, 6-4, reports the AP. Williams, who had cruised through her first four matches without losing so much as a set, appeared sluggish chasing down shots and lost some speed on her normally overpowering serve, which Jankovic broke seven times.

"It's amazing to beat the defending champion," said the 22-year-old Serbian, "and in general a champion like Serena." Williams, an eight-time grand slam winner, seemed to gain some momentum after breaking her racket in the first set, but it didn't last as she eventually totaled 36 unforced errors. Jankovic will play either Justine Henin or Maria Sharapova in the semifinals. (More women's tennis stories.)

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