Jankovic battles past Safarova

The Serbian third seed won a battle of the fittest, finishing the stronger against the 20-year-old Czech to claim a 5-7 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 victory in the best match of the women's singles so far.

Jankovic won the match but it was Safarova who won the hearts of the Court One crowd with a gutsy display in which she battled against a debilitating knee injury sustained in her previous win over Eleni Daniilidou and she left to a standing ovation.

Safarova, who has beaten world number one Justine Henin this year and accounted for reigning Wimbledon champion Amelie Mauresmo in both the Australian and French Opens, looked for long periods well capable of claiming another major scalp.

The third-seeded Serbian, who also called for treatment for a quad injury in the second set, is arguably the form player of the tournament, having won 53 matches this year and dropping only four games in her first two matches, and there was no early hint of an upset as she moved serenely into a 3-1 lead.

But the 25th seed produced some inspired tennis, highlighted by some stunning backhands, to win the next three games before going on to claim the opening set after her opponent double-faulted on set point.

The second set was just as closely fought and, as the rallies became more prolonged, as the match became a battle of the fittest with the players' stamina with one Safarova service game going to 11 deuces until Safarova, having saved four break points, won it at the seventh attempt.

The Czech girl then double-faulted to give her opponent the first break of the set but hit back immediately to take it into a tie-break. Two backhand errors then proved costly for Safarova as she lost the tie-break 7-4 and allowed her more experienced opponent to level the match.

The third set went with serve until Safarova dropped her serve in the crucial sixth game. Jankovic consolidated with the aid of a fourth successful challenge and she also called correct in the next game, giving her five successes from seven challenges.

A fifth double fault then gave Jankovic match point and she was a relieved woman when Safarova put a backhand wide on the next point to bring the epic match to a close.