BIRMINGHAM, England – Jelena Jankovic kept alive her bid to win her first title in more than two years by beating Misaki Doi of Japan 6-3,6-4 to reach the semifinals of the Aegon Classic on Sunday.
It had taken the former top-ranked Serbian three rain-affected days to complete the victory over the 21-year-old Japanese left-hander, who was playing her first quarterfinal in a WTA event.
Jankovic says "It was really difficult, but it has been really difficult for all of us in these conditions. It was especially important to remain focused."
Jankovic, who won here five years ago, will face Zheng Jie of China in the semis.
Former U.S. Open quarterfinalist Melanie Oudin overcame fellow American Irina Falconi 6-4, 5-7, 7-5 and will face Ekaterina Makarova, the eighth-seeded Russian in the other semi.
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