Tennis: Jankovic to end season on top

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Oct 26, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- Jelena Jankovic of Serbia will end the season at No. 1, outlasting four other players who held the top ranking during the year.

Jankovic's 4,555 points give her a commanding lead over Dinara Safina (3,782) and Serena Williams (3,716). She will retain the top spot regardless of the outcome of the season-ending Sony Ericsson Championships in Doha, the WTA Tour announced Saturday.

"It has been a truly amazing year for me," Jankovic said. "I worked really hard this year, and to finish No. 1 is where I want to be and where I hope to stay."

The 23-year-old, who hasn't won a major, lost to Williams at the U.S. Open final in September. She won four titles and is 63-17 so far this year.

SWISS INDOORS: At Basel, Switzerland, top-seeded Roger Federer defeated Feliciano Lopez of Spain 6-3, 6-2 Saturday to reach the final of the Swiss Indoors.

ST. PETERSBURG OPEN: At St. Petersburg, Russia, defending champion Andy Murray defeated Fernando Verdasco 6-0, 6-3 Saturday to advance to the St. Petersburg Open final.

FORTIS CHAMPIONSHIPS : At Luxembourg, Top-seeded Elena Dementieva will face Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark in the final of the Fortis Championships on Sunday.