Article by Todd Spiker

by Todd Spiker


As Jelena continues to work her way up the rankings, I thought it might be interesting to take a look back at her best moments... and rank her biggest victories, on a Gold, Silver & Bronze Level scale.

So, away we go...
 

Only two wins ranks this high as of now, one in the early stages of Jelena's career and the other so recent its aftereffects have yet to be fully felt.
 

...Jelena's first win over Capriati, and she did it in comeback fashion on a hardcourt.  After the match, Jelena ranked it as her biggest win to date; while Capriati said Dokic, always a "good player," was a "great" one during this match.
 

...The Big One that shook the tennis world, signalled Jelena's arrival on the WTA scene, and turned out to be the knockout punch to an emotionally reeling Hingis's Champion's Aura.
 

A collection of big-time wins over a series of opponents whose individual situations at the time (recently injured, aging or tired) in some way prevent the victory from ascending to the next echelon.

 

...boasting an improved serve, Jelena got one of her most encouraging wins at the start of this season.  It was her first victory over the fellow Yugoslavian-born Seles.  Unfortunately, this match was also where Jelena suffered the leg injury that played havoc with her results for months afterward (while her serving efficiency degenerated at the same time).

 

...Jelena's brilliant end to the Roman Holiday that produced her first WTA title.  First, after losing her first 5 matches against Martinez, Jelena wiped the court with the Spanish veteran on her best surface.  Then, after Mauresmo had dominated the clay season that Spring, Jelena edged the Frenchwoman in a 1st set TB before simply outclassing her tiring opponent in the 2nd with an array of beautiful winners to finally complete the promise she had shown in upsetting Hingis in 1999.  This only avoids Gold status because Mauresmo has yet to consistently maintain the quality of results she had then, making this result seemingly less remarkable than it did at the time it occurred.
 

...Jelena's big win over Venus (in their initial meeting) was her first major victory since defeating Hingis.  Williams was just coming back from a wrist injury, and clay is her least favorite surface.  Still, the victory more than earned Williams' respect...and Venus' words since then have shown the match has caused her to never overlook Jelena.
 

Two of Jelena's best comebacks, plus a "statement" win just days after upsetting Hingis.  They all served to give root to her reputation as a grinding fighter.

 

...still smarting from Dementieva's Olympic SF win in Sydney, Jelena took advantage of her first official opportunity (the two had met months before in an exhibition, with Jelena also winning) to put the Russian in her place.  Down 4-6,4-5 with Dementieva serving, Jelena put together a furious rally that ended when she broke ED to win the match in 3 sets.  The loss seems to have demoralized Dementieva.  She hasn't defeated Jelena since, and has made a habit of blowing similar leads to other, lesser ranked opponents, too.  It's also worth noting that since that loss in Sydney, Jelena has gone 18-1 against the growing horde of Russian woman flooding the tour.
 

...down a set and 3-5 in the 2nd set tie-break, 2 points from a straight sets loss, Jelena scrambled to win the TB then dominated Sanchez Vicario in the 3rd to reach her first non-slam WTA singles SF.  The win marked the turning of the tide in Jelena's favor in the career series between the two.
 

...Jelena's big-name follow-up to the Hingis 1r upset, it showed that she wasn't a one match fluke who was never to be heard from again.
 

A handful of victories notable for their standings as "firsts" in Jelena's career.
 

...at 15, in her first big-level event since turning pro after winning the US Open Girls title the previous Fall, Jelena stunned the Spanish vet en route to a surprise Hopman Cup title (with Mark Philippoussis) for Australia.
 

...shortly after retiring in her first matchup against Waffle Henin, Jelena rebounded with a double tie-break victory.
 

...it was only an exhibition, but it was Jelena's first singles title of any kind as a professional.  This win makes the list just ahead of the San Diego SF win over Kournikova by a 6-7,7-6,6-0 score after Jelena saved 2 match points.
 

...Jelena's first pro win over the other Waffle, after having developed a friendly rivalry with Clijsters in the Juniors (and teaming with her to win the Roland Garros Jr. Doubles title).


There are certainly more memorable victories to be added to those already present on the Jelena Victory Stand.  Keep on the lookout for them whenever she takes the court.