Jelena Jankovic finishes the year top of WTA list
Monday 27 October 2008 at 2:55 pmJelena 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.