Stuttgart:New world number one Jelena Jankovic defeated Nadia Petrova 6-4,6-3 in the final of the Porsche Grand Prix Sunday to make it two titles in a fortnight. Jankovic, 23,struggled briefly midway in the second set - squandering a 3-1 lead - before winning in 1 hour 13 minutes against the 2006 Stuttgart champion Petrova of Russia.

"I am happy to win today and to get my second title in two weeks," said the second-seeded Serb, who lifted the China Open trophy last week. The unseeded Petrova said: "I really wanted the trophy but when you want too much it doesn t work. But I tried my best." Jankovic opted for the red Porsche sports car instead of a winners cheque of $100,000. Petrova earned $53,650 for the runner-up spot. Jankovic now has three 2008 titles and eight overall.

She has been in 18 quarter-finals of her 19 tournaments this year and played in 10 semi-finals and five finals. Jankovic will return to the top of the rankings Monday, dethroning Serena Williams who went out early in Stuttgart. Jankovic held the top spot for one week in August. "I am tired but still ready to compete, I want to be the number one at the end of the year. I will continue to work harder and keep the position as long as possible," said Jankovic. However, due to a torn toe nail Jankovic left it open whether she would compete at the Kremlin Cup in Moscow starting Monday. She required pain-killing injections Saturday and Sunday.

"Its numb during the match and I don t feel anything, but after a couple of hours it hurts a lot," she said. In the final, Jankovic broke in the opening game to take the first set. In the second she led 3-1 with three break points for 4-1,but Petrova rebounded to tie at 3-3. Jankovic regrouped and took the next three games for the title, breaking Petrova at love in the final game and winning when the Russian hit a groundstroke into the net. Jankovic raised her record to 6-2 against Petrova, who stands 18th in the Women s Tennis Association (WTA) list. "I got a bit flat in the second set, a little tired. But I tried to stay positive and aggressive, to switch into another gear," said Jankovic.

While Petrova reached the final without dropping a set, Jankovic had two tough and long encounters with Russian Vera Zvonareva and American Venus Williams to make the decider. Jankovic readily admitted that she can t compete with the power of Williams and others and had to outsmart them. "I play chess on the court, try to trick my opponents. I can t beat them with power, I have to use my head," she said.

Source : IANS