Jankovic to meet Serena in title clash

Jelena Jankovic and Serena Williams each had one eye on brewing thunderstorms as they booked their places in the U.S. Open women's final with efficient victories in blustery conditions on Friday.

With a heavy rain expected to hit Flushing Meadows later in the day, Serb Jankovic relied on her trademark dogged retrieving to beat Russian Elena Dementieva 6-4 6-4 before the muscular Williams swept away Dinara Safina 6-3 6-2.

Weather-permitting, Jankovic and twice champion Williams will battle it out for the final grand slam title of the year and also for the number one ranking on Saturday evening in the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

For second seed Jankovic, the experience will be a foreign one as she has never before progressed beyond the last four in a major championship.

“As you can see, I have tears in my eyes,” the 23-year-old from Belgrade said in a courtside interview after wrecking the grand slam dreams of the Olympic champion. “I am a little bit emotional to be in the final.”

The Serb, who has struggled with a series of injuries for much of this season, said regaining full fitness had been a pivotal factor in her successful run at Flushing Meadows.

“This has been the first grand slam that I don’t have any injuries, that I don’t have any issues bothering me,” Jankovic told reporters after coming from a break down in both sets.