Justine Henin improved her record against Jelena Jankovic to 10-0, taking yet another close encounter between the two by winning their Stuttgart quarterfinal 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-3.
Seven of their ten matches have gone three sets, but this was the first since 2007 to go the distance.
"I don’t really know myself how I was able to beat Jelena today,” said Henin. “Jelena was so consistent in the first set and she put me under a lot of pressure. I was fighting hard in the second set and was very brave. I was going for my shots and eventually got back into the match."
Jankovic, who held break points towards the end of the secord set, described yet another loss to the Belgian as "frustrating."
She is playing the same, she is still one of the best on clay. You have to hold your ground, as soon as you lose concentration she takes advantage, she has so much experience," said Jankovic.– K.T.