
NEW YORK: While the top ranking will be on the line when Serena Williams meets Serb Jelena Jankovic in the US Open women’s final, the American has her sights squarely set on clinching a ninth grand slam crown.
Twice champion at Flushing Meadows, Williams will be bidding for her first title here since 2002, and her first major since last year’s Australian Open when the rescheduled women’s final takes place on Sunday.
“Number one is not my goal right now,” the muscular 26-year-old told reporters. “I know I’ll get that eventually if I continue to play the tournaments. I just want to be able to win the grand slams, and play and stay healthy. I think the ranking will definitely come,” she added.
The women’s final, initially scheduled for Saturday, was postponed to Sunday evening after the remnants of Tropical Storm Hanna washed out most of the day’s play. Fourth seed Williams, however, was unperturbed about the weather delays.
Jankovic, 23, reached her first grand slam final with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Russian Elena Dementieva and accepts she will need to be at her best against Williams. “Overall I think she is the strongest player on the tour,together with her sister,” said the Serb, who beat Williams onthe way to the semi-finals of the Australian Open in January,” she added.