Jelena Dokic recorded her first Top 5 victory in eight years by coming from a set down and beating fifth-ranked Francesca Schiavone 2-6 7-6(1) 6-4 in the first round of the Malaysian Open. The former world No.4 Dokic has actually retained her perfect record against the Italian, but their last meeting before today’s one was ten years ago in Moscow. Dokic is 3-0 head-to-head against Schiavone now.
The 27-year-old Dokic, currently world No.91, had played six WTA events in 2011 prior to Kuala Lumpur and never won more than one match in the main draw except for the Paris Open where she reached the quarterfinals, beating Top 20 and Top 30 players on the way. She fell to Kim Clijsters then, who became No.1 by winning the match.
The Australian is grateful for her current form and is looking for a steady improvement:
I’m still not as consistent as I want to be – there are still some weeks where I don’t play up to my high standard. But this year I’m playing WTA events every week and it’s making a difference. Thank God, no injuries… my body is great and hopefully it will stay that way.
(source: WTA Tour, photo: Tidalist)
