WTA Linz Open: Petra Kvitova vs. Jelena Jankovic

Petra Kvitova and Jelena Jankovic are set for an eagerly anticipated semi-final showdown at the Generali Ladies Linz Open on Saturday.

Petra Kvitova strolled into the semi-finals of this year’s Generali Ladies Linz Open, blowing away Daniela Hantuchova in only 58 minutes in the last eight. After claiming her 6-2, 6-2 success, the top seed remarked, "Me and Daniela know each other very well and are good friends. It was tough to play a friend but when you're on the court you just want to win. Whoever went for the winner first would have the advantage today and I played very well. I'm happy I won today."

Kvitova will now take on Jelena Jankovic in the semi-finals, as the Serb eased past lucky loser Evgeniya Rodina in straight sets (6-2, 6-4). Rodina had caused one of the shocks of the week here by eliminating sixth seed Julia Goerges, and Jankovic will be relieved to have put a stop to a second set fightback from the Russian.

This will be the first meeting between Kvitova and Jankovic, and it will be intriguing to see who leaves the court as the victor. Jankovic has struggled against top ten opposition of late, and this seems worthy of mention ahead of this clash. If Kvitova can make her more aggressive shots count, she should be able to pull through.