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After struggling for three years with lack of form, former world No. 1 Jelena Jankovic got off to a strong start in 2013 that saw her win her first title since 2010 and make a return to the top 20 in the rankings.

After a run to the semifinals in Miami, Jankovic’s next tournament was the WTA Tour stop in Charleston on green clay. The number-nine seed was pushed to the distance in three of five matches on the way to the final, her second of the year.

Waiting for her there was the top seed, Serena Williams. The American, on the heels of winning the title in Miami, was having no trouble adjusting to the clay as she won all her matches in straight sets en route to the final. Those results included her most lopsided win against her sister Venus Williams in their careers in the semifinals.

The last time Williams and Jankovic faced each other on clay was back in 2010. In that Rome semifinal, Jankovic rallied from a set down to take the match in a third-set tiebreak. The two always played each other close, and Williams only had a one-win edge in their head-to-head encounters.

In this match, Jankovic faced a seeded player for the first time in the tournament, but was undaunted as she broke Williams’ serve twice in the first set to take it 6-3.

Things took a dramatic turn in the beginning stages of the second set.

Up 40-15 in the first game, Jankovic went to serve and Williams held up her hand, indicating she wasn’t ready—though it appeared she was in the return position. The umpire called for a let and the two exchanged words. After that, Williams went on to take the next six games to send the match into a deciding set.

Jankovic won the first game of the third set, but Williams soon went on another run by taking the next three. The American would go on to capture the final frame 6-2 to win her second Charleston title in a row and third overall.

This was Jankovic’s second career loss in a clay-court final against six wins.

Of Williams’ eight career finals on clay at this point in her career, four of them came in Charleston.

2008

The last year Williams won three titles before May was 2008. Her title in Charleston made 2013 the fourth time she accomplished the feat in her career.

Follow Van on Twitter: @Van_Sias

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