Dementieva, Jankovic En Route to Semi-Final Showdown, Half of Quarter-Finals Set!

August 31st, 2008 New York City, USA

Half of the women's Quarter-Finals were set today when Jankovic, Dementieva, Schnyder and Bammer moved into the final 8 at the US Open. For most, the bottom half of the women's draw has been the weaker half since the beginning of the tournament and with the entrants of Bammer and Schnyder into the Quarter-Finals, many would say that all the criticism has come to be true.

Jelena Jankovic survived a slug fest with up and coming Caroline Wozniacki, being forced to go to three sets. Jankovic's experience helped her in this situation with a 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 victory over Wozniacki who must be tired from winning New Haven last week and now getting to the Round of 16 here in New York City. Jankovic has now made the Quarters of the US Open, three years in a row.

Elena Dementieva would be the star of the night session when taking on China's Na Li. Li and Dementieva both had success at the recent Olympic games and were looking to continue the trend. Dementieva who has been on a high ever since winning the gold medal continued her strong form and blasted her way passed Li, with a 6-4, 6-1 scoreline. Patty Schnyder had a tough Round of 16 against Katarina Srebotnik who took out Svetlana Kuznetsova in the round before. The Swiss won the match 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. Sybille Bammer also had a tough encounter against Marion Bartoli, who was responsible for taking Linsday Davenport out in the third round. Bammer defeated Bartoli, 7-6(3), 0-6, 6-4. It all looks to be pointing to a Dementieva vs. Jankovic Semi-Final.

Tomorrow the rest of the round of 16's take place with Serena Williams and Venus Williams looking to book a spot against each other in the Quarter-Finals and with Dinara Safina and Amelie Mauresmo trying to make the last eight as well.

Results:

Arthur Ashe Stadium:

(2)Jelena Jankovic d. (21)Caroline Wozniacki - 3-6, 6-2, 6-1
(5)Elena Dementieva d. Na Li - 6-4, 6-1

Louis Armstrong Stadium:

Sybille Bammer d. (12)Marion Bartoli - 7-6(3), 0-6, 6-4
Grandstand:

(15)Patty Schnyder d. (28)Katarina Srebotnik - 4-6, 6-3, 6-3

Top 10 Seeds:

1. Ana Ivanovic - Lost in Round 2 (Coin)
2. Jelena Jankovic - Quarter-Finals
3. Svetlana Kuznetsova - Lost in Round 3 (Srebotnik)
4. Serena Williams - Round of 16
5. Elena Demetieva - Quarter-Finals
6. Dinara Safina - Round of 16
7. Venus Williams - Round of 16
8. Vera Zvonareva - Lost in Round 2 (Perebiynis)
9. Agnieszka Radwanska - Round of 16
10. Anna Chakvetadze - Lost in Round 1 (Makarova)