September 26, 2015
Guangzhou International Final
By: Jillian Wright
Jelena Jankovic captures her second tournament of the year with a win over Denisa Allertova in the heat and humidity of Guangzhou
30 year-old Jelena Jankovic (4th seed) cruised past Denisa Allertova (6-2, 6-0) at the Guangzhou International Women’s Open to win the title.
This match would have been the highlight of Allertova’s career having beaten the number 1 seed and World No 2, Simona Halep, and the number 3 seed, Sara Errani, to make it to her first WTA championship match. However, the 22 year-old Czech, currently ranked 74, was not up to the moment never offering a credible threat to Jankovic, currently ranked 25.
The lackluster match was notable for streaky play on both sides of the net with a flood of double faults, unforced errors and service drama. Jankovic prevailed primarily with an uncanny ability to string together aces at key moments including two timely aces on second serve.
In contrast, Allertova had numerous streaks of bad play including multiple back-to-back double faults. Serving to start the match she wasted a 40-30 opportunity by consecutively double faulting and ultimately conceding a service break to Jankovic.
The second game was a 14-point marathon offering plenty of chances for Allertova to retaliate. The Serb only landed two of her first serves in but she stayed alive with an ace, an occasional winner and a number of Allertova errors. Allertova finally broke back by virtue of an unforced Jankovic error and a double fault to end the game for 1-1.
The third game was the best of the match for Allertova who kept Jankovic on her toes by moving the ball left, right, deep and short. The Prague native also had success coming into net and forcing the action. At 30-15 she pushed into net for an easy put away. On the next point she took a 2-1 lead with a perfectly placed short, wide backhand that was too much for the charging Jankovic.
Throughout the match Allertova had her most consistent success when she attacked the net and when she drew Jankovic in with drop shots. However, inexplicably, she rarely used these tactics preferring to sit behind the baseline.
The tide turned quickly in the fourth game as Jankovic recovered from a double fault with four consecutive brilliant first serves including an ace and three service winners.
With the match still level at 2-2 Allertova started to falter. She double faulted at 15-15 and then gave away two unforced errors from her backhand. Jankovic finished it with a strong forehand winner down the line to take a 3-2 lead.
Jankovic took the next three games with relative ease. She began to have more success with her first serve. Allertova seemed to lack energy and was unable to capitalize on second serve chances with a rash of unforced errors and poor footwork.
During the change over at 5-2 Allertova consulted with her coach. She came out swinging at hit a big forehand winner down the line off of a strong Jankovic first serve. However, her aggression was short lived and Jankovic finished the set with two aces and a service winner.
At that point the match was over but for the final score. In the first game of the second set Allertova’s unforced errors led to an easy Jankovic break.
Jankovic poured it on in the second game with eight straight first serves including three straight aces to go ahead 2-0. Game 3 started with two straight Allertova double faults. Then Jankovic rattled off three beautiful forehand winners and broke again.
Down 5-0 Allertova crushed a cross-court forehand for and impressive winner for 0-15. But that was the end of the story. On the next service return she sent an easy forehand off over the chair and into the seats. Jankovic pounced with two aces and a service winner to close the match.
This was the second win of the up and down year for Jankovic. Next week, she will face qualifier, Heather Watson, in the Donfeng Motor Wuhan Open. Seven of the top ten ranked players will also be at this event. For Allertova, the final defeat was an opportunity lost, but probably one of many more opportunities to arise for the 22-year-old.
Doubles:
Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza continued their winning ways, earning their sixth crown of the year, including Wimbledon and the US Open titles.
The defeated the home team of Shilin, Xu and Xiaodi, You 6-3, 6-1 in under an hour. Since joining forces in March of this year, Hingis and Mirza are an impressive 42 -7.
