Jankovic outlasts Kerber to claim Hong Kong title

Jelena Jankovic made it a Serbian win double in Asia on Sunday as she fought back from a set down to beat Germany’s Angelique Kerber to take the Hong Kong Open title.

The former world number one triumphed 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-1 to claim her 15th WTA title and second of the year.

The success came shortly after compatriot Novak Djokovic beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to win the Shanghai Masters title in China.

Kerber needed a win to secure a place in the eight-woman end-of-season WTA Finals in Singapore next week and started brightly with an opening break as she took the set 6-3.

The second proved another tight affair with three breaks of serve each before a tiebreak which Jankovic edged 7-4 after both players excelled with returns. Jankovic was buoyed by the success and found her serving rhythm in the decider as Kerber failed to force a break point and collapsed as the Serb ran out a strong winner.