Jankovic thrashes Schnyder to reach Rome final

ROME, May 19 (Reuters) Third seed Jelena Jankovic reached the final of the Italian Open in Rome with a 6-1 6-3 victory over Patty Schnyder today.

The 22-year-old old Serb, bidding for her second claycourt title of the season after winning the Family Circle Cup in Charleston last month, overcame the Swiss 14th seed in an error-strewn match.

Schnyder, who knocked out former world number one Serena Williams in the last eight yesterday, dropped every one of her eight service games.

Jankovic was also well below her best, but went through to her first Rome final when Schnyder shanked a forehand into the tramlines.

''I'm really surprised at what happened. I went into the match very concentrated and expected a more difficult match,'' Jankovic said.

In the final she will face the winner of the later semi-final between second seed Svetlana Kuznetsova and ninth seed Daniela Hantuchova.

REUTERS AKD KP1935