Impressive Jankovic eyes Slam title and return to the top

NEW YORK (AFP) - Second-ranked Jelena Jankovic moved closer to her first Grand Slam title and reclaiming the world number one ranking with a 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 triumph Sunday over Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki at the US Open.

The 23-year-old Serbian advanced to the quarter-finals of the year's last major tennis tournament, rallying in blustery conditions at Arthur Ashe Stadium to defeat an 18-year-old who won August WTA titles at Stockholm and New Haven.

"In the first set she played quite solid. I was the one who was all over the place. I couldn't find my rhythm in these conditions and she took advantage of that," Jankovic said.

"I stayed calm and composed and knew I had to do something to change that. In the second set I did the smart things and I cruised through the second and third set."

Jankovic, who spent a week as world number one earlier in August, will next face Austrian Sybille Bammer, whom she has beaten in six of seven meetings, most recently in the fourth round of last year's US Open.

Defeating Bammer again would ensure Jankovic a chance to reclaim the top spot although Serena Williams, Elena Dementieva, Dinara Safina also remain in the mix to be number one after the Flushing Meadows fortnight.

"It would be nice to come back to the number one spot," Jankovic said. "It would be great if I can do it. We will see what happens."