Jankovic, Kuznetsova lay down markers

While they may not be everyone’s tournament favourites, Jelena Jankovic and Svetlana Kuznetsova showed in their impressive first round victories that they are forces to be reckoned with over the next 12 days. Third seed Jankovic belted Czech Petra Cetkovska 6-2, 6-3, while the seventh seeded Kuznetsova stung French wild card Claire Feuerstein 6-1, 6-4. Jankovic was forced to play a number of long rallies against the cagey Czech, but showed more than a fair amount of variety and patience. Her greatest weapon, her two-handed backhand, found the cute angles of the court, while her occasionally spotty forehand stayed strong during much of the contest. Most importantly, she moved very well, a positive sign given that she’s been complaining during much of the season that a rigorous off-season programme took away her greatest asset, her speed. The Serbian looked prepared to take the title last year, but let go of a third set lead against her countrywoman, Ana Ivanovic. While her results have been up and down since she took over the No1 ranking at the end of last year, the 2008 US Open finalist is more than capable of combining a perfect mixture of defence and offence on clay that could take her to her first Grand Slam title. A finalist here in 2006, Kuznetsova holds the curious distinction of being the only women in the Open Era to hold match points against two eventual champions; in 2004 in the fourth round against Anastasia Myskina, and in 2005 against Justine Henin. Confidence restored In 2008 and during the first quarter of this year, the strong legged Russian struggled to find her ethereal form, falling to win a tournament until three weeks ago in Stuttgart, when she bested No. 1 Dinara Safina for the title. As talented and strong as she is, Kuznetsova has grappled with her on-court courage and nerves since she came of age by beating Lindsay Davenport and Elena Dementieva to win the 2004 US Open. Going into Stuttgart, she had lost her last six finals. “I had trouble playing the finals, but I played Henin most of the time and she played better than me. But sometimes it was me and something was disturbing me. Something wasn’t there and [in Stuttgart] it was first time I walked on court I felt I could do it.” In March, Kuznetsova let go of her former coach, Olga Morozova after she lost in the first round of two straight events for the first time. A little over a month later, she hired former top ranked doubles player and current Fed Cup coach Larisa Savchenko to help her during the clay court season. Savchenko is still in her 30s and seems to have a good idea when to let Kuznetsova go her own way. “She’s very easy going and relaxed and we have great communication,” Kuznetsova said. “She tells me little things and it helps me find my way out. For me, external opinion helps, but it doesn’t have to be pushy and bring me down.” Kuznetsova still sees herself as an elite player, which really was not the case last year, when many times it seemed like she put her head down during critical matches. But on clay, her footwork is superior and she is adept at constructing points to her advantage. “It’s about me doing my tactics because most of the matches is going to depend on what do,” she said. “If I play well, I’m favoured most of the matches. But I don’t do goals now. It’s too much to think about. It’s better just to play my game and keep it simple.”