Fourth seeded Jelena Jankovic needed all her skill and willpower to overcome the challenge of former French Open finalist Venus Williams 6-4 4-6 6-1 and progress to the fourth round.

The young Serb who won their previous encounter at the Family Circle Cup in Charleston, took the opening set after breaking the American's opening serve courtesy of some costly unforced errors from Williams.

The second set saw Williams break to go ahead 3-0, however, Jankovic struck back in the next Williams service game which was surrendered with a catalogue of loose errors.

With Jankovic serving at 2-3, Williams broke again, this time with a thunderous forehand winner down the line, and then held to love for 5-2.

Although the former world number 1 faltered when serving for the set at 5-3, she nevertheless took the set with yet another break of the Jankovic serve on her third set point when the Serb went marginally long on her backhand.

Williams held her opening service game of the final set; however, from there Jankovic took command as the American wilted physically and ran off six consecutive games, clinching the match when the Williams backhand found the net at the end of an exhausting 20+ stroke rally.

"Mentally, I was very strong in the third set, and I was really going for my shots", Jankovic said. "I never had in my mind that I could lose the match; I just had to go for it. I was a little bit tired in the second set, but in the third set I gave it my best and it paid off.

"It's always good to beat the Williams sisters and always difficult. It's the third time in a row that I've beaten her, and it's just really a good win for me."

Looking ahead, Jankovic refuses to proclaim herself as a title contender, content rather to focus on one match at a time.

"I'm just thinking about my next round, especially with such a difficult draw. Playing Venus in the third round is not something you want to see. But I am just going one match at a time. I have difficult opponents in my draw, and I will just go out there and then fight and give my best. And who knows what will happen."

Reflecting on the match, Williams insisted that she was not discouraged.

"No, not all; I feel like I'm playing well actually", she said. "I made an error before she did. I don't feel like she came out there and really beat me. I just feel like at times she was a little bit more patient than I was. I was forcing the play a little bit more, and balls landed a little bit long. I need to add more spin, and be a little more patient.

"I'm disappointed that I lost, but I feel like I'm playing well and serving well. I fell like my second serve is good and I'm moving well. I think I got a little bit tired at the end; it's so tough on clay."

Andre Jones
Roland Garros
Paris