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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, March 21, 2010

Tennis: Jankovic beats Wozniacki to win Indian Wells title


BETH HARRIS
AP Sports Writer

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Jelena Jankovic defeated Caroline Wozniacki 6-2, 6-4 on Sunday to win the BNP Paribas Open, the Serbian's first title in seven months.

The former top-ranked player dictated from the baseline throughout the 1½-hour match, hitting the lines and keeping Wozniacki on the run.

Andy Roddick played Ivan Ljubicic in the men's final later Sunday.

Jankovic broke Wozniacki three times in the first set and again in the first game of the second set. Wozniacki brought her coach-father on court once in each set, but it didn't help. She never found a solution to Jankovic's pinpoint power.

She held to trail 5-4 in the second set, prompting Jankovic to summon her coach. Jankovic then served out the match, setting up match point with a backhand down the line. Wozniacki's forehand return sailed long on the final point.

Jankovic kissed her racket and later did the same to the crystal trophy, which was so heavy she couldn't lift it in triumph.

Two years removed from being the world's No. 1 player, Jankovic is projected to rise to No. 8 when the WTA Tour rankings are released Monday. She hadn't won a title since August at Cincinnati; Indian Wells is her 12th career title.

Wozniacki, last year's U.S. Open finalist, has yet to beat Jankovic in four meetings. The 19-year-old Dane will reach a career-high No. 2.

She had her best year yet in 2009, reaching eight finals and winning three. She lost to Kim Clijsters in her first Grand Slam final at the U.S. Open.