Jankovic dashes Venus's French Open hopes

PARIS, June 1 (Reuters) Venus Williams crumbled under a barrage of power-hitting from Jelena Jankovic as the Serbian stormed into the fourth round of the French Open with a 6-4 4-6 6-1 win yesterday.

Roland Garros has not been a happy hunting ground for Williams since she reached the final in 2002 and for the second time in three years she perished in the third round.

Fourth seed Jankovic had never before progressed to the last 16 at Roland Garros, but having bagged three trophies this year, she is proving to be one of the front-runners for the title.

The Serbian survived a Williams rival in the second set and sealed victory in an hour and 53 minutes when the American rammed a backhand into the net after a lengthy rally.

Jankovic will meet either former runner-up Elena Dementieva or France's Marion Bartoli.

REUTERS TB KN1848