Jelena Jankovic

Jelena Jankovic of Serbia will end the season at No. 1, outlasting four other players who held the top ranking during the year. The other players to hold the top ranking were Belgian Justine Henin (20 weeks), Ivanovic (12), Sharapova (3) and Williams (4).

Jankovic’s 4,555 points give her a commanding lead over Russian Dinara Safina (3,782) and American Serena Williams (3,716). She will retain the top spot regardless of the outcome of the season-ending Sony Ericsson Championships in Doha.

“It has been a truly amazing year for me,” Jankovic said. “Winning four Sony Ericsson WTA Tour titles, over 60 matches and to make it to two semifinals and a final in the Grand Slams this year is a dream come true. I worked really hard this year and to finish No.1 is where I want to be and where I hope to stay.”

Jankovic secured the year-end ranking by winning 12 straight matches and 3 consecutive titles: the China Open in Beijing, the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany, and the Kremlin Cup in Moscow. She won the first of her four 2008 titles at Rome in May.

Jankovic first claimed the No.1 ranking on August 11, 2008, holding it for 1 week. She regained the top spot on Oct. 6 following her win in Stuttgart and has held it ever since.

World No. 1 Jelena Jankovic had her 12-match winning streak ended when she was defeated 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 by unseeded Italian Flavia Pennetta (17th in the world) in the second round of the Zurich Open on Thursday. Pennetta had lost her previous five contests against Jankovic.

“I had no gas left in the tank, I am not a robot and after winning three titles in different time zones and climates I felt mentally and physically tired”.

“I will have two weeks off now to rest and train for the WTA Championships and hopefully end the year in the best possible way.”