Jelena Jankovic and Serena Williams reach quarter-finals at Italian Open
May 15, 2008ROME - Defending champion Jelena Jankovic of Serbia and 2002 winner Serena Williams advanced to the Italian Open quarter-finals Thursday.
The fourth-seeded Jankovic routed Maria Kirilenko of Russia 6-1, 6-1 and Williams overcame some erratic moments before eliminating Italian wild card Sara Errani 6-4, 6-3. Also advancing was 2005 runner-up Patty Schnyder of Switzerland, who edged last year's Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli of France 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7).
Second-seeded Maria Sharapova of Russia was playing later against Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark, with the winner to face Schnyder. Sharapova will be ranked No. 1 again next week following Justine Henin's retirement.
Seventh-seeded Venus Williams of the U.S. was to meet No. 10 Vera Zvonareva of Russia, with the winner to meet Jankovic.
The 26th-ranked Kirilenko appeared to have run out of energy after winning two three-set matches Wednesday.
"I didn't expect such an easy match. She's a very good player," Jankovic said. "I just went out with the plan to play aggressively and really go for my shots, and that's what I did."
Jankovic is struggling with a cold, and she had an assortment of tissues and medication that she used on changeovers.
"The doctors gave me a lot of things to take, and that's what I have to do to play," she said.
Last year, Jankovic won this clay-court tuneup for the French Open without dropping a set, registering the best week of her career.
Serena Williams improved to 22-2 this year and 9-1 on clay. She is aiming for her fourth title of 2008.
The 60th-ranked Errani gave Serena some trouble with her consistent play, but the American eventually overpowered her, connecting on 22 winners to Errani's seven.
