Maria Sharapova, Jelena Jankovic to meet in Cincinnati final

In the title match of the Western & Southern Open, Maria Sharapova will face the 2009 Cincinnti champion Jelena Jankovic, which will be their first meeting in two years and their fourth meeting in a WTA final.

Sharapova started slow in the semifinal against Vera Zvonareva and lost the first set 6-2. But after dominating the beginning, Zvonareva’s concentration dropped, some double faults creeped in and Sharapova’s energy level raised. Sharapova won 2-6 6-3 6-3.

As for Jankovic and her semifinal against Andrea Petkovic, after surviving the first set and winning it in a tiebreak, the Serb dominated the second set to advance with a 7-6(4) 6-1 victory.

Sharapova leads Jankovic 5-1 in career meetings, including 2-1 in finals. (photo: © Neal Trousdale)

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