Sports

JANKOVIC REACHES U.S. OPEN FINAL

Jelena Jankovic has always been on open book, her feelings always borne visibility on her sleeve.

And today, in the seminal moment of her career — a 6-4, 6-4 U.S. Open semifinal win over Elena Dementieva that sent her to her first Grand Slam final — those emotions bubbled over.

“As you can see, I have tears in my eyes. I’m really emotional to be in the finals. I played in what, five Grand Slam finals; and to be in my first final of a Grand Slam is a great feeling,” said Dementieva, who doubled over and covered her face in her hand the instant Dementieva’s return volley sailed long.

In truth, it was equal parts self-affirmation for Jankovic, who’d lost two Grand Slam semifinals this year, and self-destruction from her foe, who was broken five times and committed 42 unforced errors, none more costly than the last. Either way, Jankovic will take the win.

The 23-year-old earned a date against either Serena Williams or Dinara Safina in Saturday’s final, assuming it isn’t washed into Sunday. Jankovic, asked if she planned to stay and scout their semifinal moments after hers, answered, “I think my coach will. I’m going to go cry some more.”

Those tears were well-warranted. After seeing fellow Serbs Novak Djokovic and Ana Ivanovic each win their first career Slam titles this season, Jankovic now is in position to not only match them, but regain the No. 1 ranking she held for a week early last month.

She was the only No. 1 since the current system was founded in 1975 to never have won a major. After losing to eventual champs Maria Sharapova in Melbourne and Ivanovic at the French Open, she can become a champion herself after a brilliant defensive effort.

She spent most of the match sliding along the hardcourt like she was on clay, doing split after split and chasing down ball after ball. Her plan appeared to be defend well and let Dementieva’s always-skittish serve betray her and her uncharacteristic errors doom her. Both came to pass.

Broken immediately and down 2-0 in the first set, Jankovic rallied to win 6-4. Branded the drama queen on the WTA tour, she actually got a warning for toweling off on set point; it hardly mattered in a set where she made less than half of her foe’s unforced errors (25-12).

Dementieva had lost her two Grand Slam finals, both in 2004. After hurting her shoulder, the brittle Russian has never been the same, falling out of the Top 10 last year.

Her confidence had been buoyed by winning Olympic gold, and this may have been her last, best chance for a Slam title; but in windy Arthur Ashe Stadium, she couldn’t control her serve.

After four straight service breaks, it was 3-all before Jankovic fended off a break point to go up 4-3, en route to the biggest win of her career.