Jankovic stops Vaidisova to reach last four

PARIS, June 5 (Reuters) Jelena Jankovic stopped the French Open run of Czech teenager Nicole Vaidisova by beating her 6-3 7-5 to reach the semi-finals today.

Serbia's Jankovic, seeded fourth, showed signs of nerves at times but relied on her ferocious backhand and tremendous court speed.

The 18-year-old Vaidisova, who burst into the limelight by reaching the semi-finals here last year and was seeded sixth, had her chances and survived four match points before bowing out by netting a forehand.

Jankovic, 22, who established herself as a top contender by winning three titles this year to break into the top five, will meet world number one and defending champion Justine Henin for a place in the final.

''I was moving really well today and I tried to defend her balls'', Jankovic said after reaching her second semi-final at a grand slam after the 2006 US Open.

''That's mainly what the key to the match was. I was just retrieving well,'' she added.

Jankovic looked in control until she served for the match, leading 5-4, but she wasted a match point with an unforced error and was broken.

Two games later, she served for the match again and squandered three more match points before sealing victory.

''I definitely had my opportunities,'' said Vaidisova. ''Almost every game on her serve, I had breakpoints and I just didn't make those but overall, I played a pretty good, solid match, especially in the second set.

''She's a tough girl, she fights and deserves credit for that.'' Reuters TB DB1959