Jankovic into semis

Jelena Jankovic, the highest-ranked player left in the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, advanced to the semi-finals today with a 6-4 6-3 win over Marion Bartoli.

The Serbian seventh seed has become the favourite for the tournament after defending champion Dinara Safina, Venus Williams, Elena Dementieva, Caroline Wozniacki, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Vera Zvonareva all suffered shock exits.

She confirmed that status with a dominant showing against Frenchwoman Bartoli to book a last-four clash with Li Na.

Li was involved in a marathon quarter-final with eighth seed Victoria Azarenka today, needing three hours to seal a 7-6 (9/7) 4-6 7-6 (7/4) win.

The other semi-final will be between Maria Sharapova and 11th seed Agnieszka Radwanska.

Sharapova beat Iveta Benesova 6-4 6-3, while Radwanska was a 6-3 6-1 winner against Magdalena Rybarikova.