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Paul Ryding

It's time. The players are out warming-up on a blissfully warm Hong Kong evening at Victoria Park.
The introductions are done, we're just about ready for play to get underway
It's been a fantastic week of tennis at Victoria Park this week, we should be treated to a classic of a final if both players show the same form they have done throughout the competition.
Centre court is quickly filling up. The queues outside suggest that this is the hottest ticket in town today. People still making their way into the arena, to the annoyance of the match umpire.
Jelena Jankovic to serve first ...

Jelena Jankovic wins the 2015 Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open beating Angelique Kerber 3-6, 7-6, 6-1
A worthy champion, Jankovic had been solid all week and warmed to her task in this final tonight. Kerber was brilliant for 95% of the week and faded badly at the death - perhaps due to injury. Still, she was an unlucky runner-up and Jankovic can be delighted with her showing.


6.30pm
Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 6-1 (GER) Angelique Kerber (Kerber won the first set 6-3, Jankovic won the second set 7-6 [7-4])
Kerber needs to hold. She moves into a swift 30-0 lead. Another errant drop-shot lets Jankovic back to 30-30. And Jankovic has the break. But Kerber bites back for deuce. Pressure from Jankovic and she moves to advanatge. Break point for the Serbian. And break she does. She'll serve for the match now, She's had too much for the German in this third set and Kerber's faded badly here.
Jankovic attacks early, she smells blood now. Double-fault let's Kerber back in. Into the net from Kerber. Two points away from the title for Jankovic now. Kerber blows possibly her last chance with a return inot the net. Jankovic has two championship points here. And there it is. Jelena Jankovic is the Hong Kong Open champion.

6.19pm
Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 4-1 (GER) Angelique Kerber (Kerber won the first set 6-3, Jankovic won the second set 7-6 [7-4])
The German has left the court for a medical eveluation ahead of the fourth game of the deciding set here. Let's hope she's not gone too long, as my laptop battery is on its way out.
Kerber reemerges to warm applause and we're ready to restart. Kerber must hold here. She volleys at the net to go 30-15 ahead. Jankovic into the net - 40-15 Kerber. Fabulous forehand makes it 30-40. Wide from the German and it's deuce.Kerber was well up here but is unravelling a bit, but Jankovic helps her by putting a return in the net. And Kerber serves it out to register. 3-1 Jankovic.
Big, big game this one. Has Kerber got enough to sustain a challenge? Can Jankovic drive home the advantage? Kerber attempts to attack at 15-15 and hits the net. Wide from Kerber and it's 40-15 Jankovic. Ace, and I think that's one hand on the Open title for the Serb. Kerber requests to see the trainer.

6.01pm
Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 3-0 (GER) Angelique Kerber (Kerber won the first set 6-3, Jankovic won the second set 7-6 [7-4])
A chance to take a breath at the end of that epic set. Both players jangling. Battling to the death here. Great play by Jankovic to draw level. Kerber looking shaken for the first time this week. We're in for a thrilling climax.
Warm applause as they emerge for the final set.
Courtesy of a winning ace, Jankovic holds in the first game of the deciding set.
Great rally again. Jankovic leads in game two, Kerber fights back. Precision shooting from Kerber gives her the edge. On to 30-30. Jankovic has break pioint now  as the match clock moves on to two hours here at Victoria Park centre court. And what a fabuolous hsot that was from Kerber to force it to deuce. Fine passing winner gives Kerber the advantage. Back to deuce.Agonisingly wide from Kerber and the Serb has advantage and break point here. And she takes it 2-0 Jankovic. She has really turned this match on its head.
Jankovic holds her serve to love to take a commanding 3-0 lead here. Now it's Kerber who needs somehting massive to stay in the final


5.47pm
Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 7-6 (7-4) (GER) Angelique Kerber (Kerber won the first set 6-3)
Make or break now for Jankovic. She has to play well here. Fabulous shot after a long rally gives Jankovic the early lead. Into the net from Kerber as Jankovic pulls away. Long from Kerber, and Jankovic has a golden chance to force the tie-breaker. And we'll have a tie-breaker for the second set!
Spectacular rally for the first point. Jankovic goes wide. The crowd groans as one. Awwwwwwwww. Jankovic on serve. Both players desperately going for this one. Greta rally. Jankovic wins on a smash. Crowd loving it. 1-1. Jankovic retunrs into the net, Kerber leads 2-1. Another epic rally befoire an exhausted looking Kerber delivers one at the middle of the net. 2-2. What a finish to the second set this is. Fantastic entertainment. Kerber on serve. What a point! This is brilliant, Jankovic gets the point after another deparate rally. Kerber throws her racket at the floor. Usually so calm and collected. This match is turning, maybe ... Brilliant from Jankovic again! The whole centree court, and Kerber, stands to applaud her and she takes a bow! Fantastic tennis winning a rally at the net. She now leads 4-2 at the changeover in this tie-breaker. 
Double-fault from Jankovic - from the sublime, to the ridiculous fo rthe Serbian.4-3 she leads. Wide from Kerber, Jankovic moves on to 5-3. Heart-stopping stuff out here. Is that long? Yes, Jankovic leads 6-3. Set point for the Serbian. Make that 6-4. Game Jankovic. Brillinat tennis, and we're into a decider.

5.39pm
Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 5-6 (GER) Angelique Kerber (Kerber won the first set 6-3)
If Jankovic can hold serve here, we're heading for a deciding set. First signs aren't good as she concedes an immediate 0-40 advantage with some very sloppy play. Three break points for Kerber. Wow, that was pretty ugly from Jankovic. She's broken, without Kerber doing anything! Double-fault from the Serb. What happened there? Kerber could have stayed in her seat!
She regains some semblence of rhythm in game 11 and takes an eary lead. Ace from Kerber levels matters. On to 30-30. Just wide from Kerber, and Jankovic now has the break. Another ace from Kerber. Not a piledriver, but very accurate that one. Woeful, long forehand from the Serb, and it's advantage Kerber suddenly ... the German dinks one over the net to take the game. Woeful period of play for the fourth-seeded Serbian. 

5.31pm
Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 5-4 (GER) Angelique Kerber (Kerber won the first set 6-3)
Crucial passage here. Can Jankovic get back in the match? Can Kerber turn the tide and seal the in in two?
Early indications are that there's life in Kerber yet. She moves into the lead of the Serbianb's sevice game. A delicate back-hand cross-court effort agonisingly clips the net for the fourth seed and Kerber has two break points. Kerber breaks and it's 4-4. Now this next one is an important game. Kerber looking better in that game.
Even, but brief, from the start here. 15-15. Jankovic on the attack again there, takes the lead. Jankovic seems to be in the ascendency here, and is running the German around a bit. The Serbian takes the break and leads 5-4 at the changeover.

5.25pm
Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 4-3 (GER) Angelique Kerber (Kerber won the first set 6-3)
Jankovic holds serve to love in game six and are there cracks beginning to form in the German's game?
Kerber's game is beginning to desert her a little here and Jankovic has a break ... but Kerber takes it to deuce with a witty forehand. Jankovic had her chance! She had the chance to really put the pressure on, but it was a poor return when she had the German on the run. Advanatge Kerber. And Kerber holds. Devastating for Jankovic. Essential for Kerber.
Kerber has asked to see her coach at the changeover. Maybe injury is to blame for her drop off this set?

5.17pm
Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 3-2 (GER) Angelique Kerber (Kerber won the first set 6-3)
Immediate double-fault from Jankovic. Kerber eases to a 30-15 lead. Jankovic draws level at 30-30. Great rally, but the Serbian pounds a return into the net, and hands Kerber break point. which she gobbles up. Another break.
Jankovic attacks to no effect there. Kerber blasts a smash wide, though, to level up. Wide from Kerber, Jankovic in front. And then an ace to level up. Great rally, Jankovic gets the edge, and has a break point. Double-fault from Kerber gifts Jankovic the break. Things getting a little sloppy now.

5.01pm
Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 2-1 (GER) Angelique Kerber (Kerber won the first set 6-3)
We need to see Jankovic rally now. If the clinicla German gets a foothold in this second set, it could be curtains for the Serb. That said, Kerber holds her serve with ease in the first game. She's looking pretty unflappable out there. Jankovic needs somehting special to knock the German off her stride now. Starting with holding this serve.
Great long 'liner' gives Jankovic early advantage. Fabulous cross-court return draws the German level. Jankovic plays long to put the German ahead. And then the Serbian attacks the net to good effect to bring it level at 30-30. The Serb is looking a little more agitated out there now, and she cedes the advantage with a dreadful double fault. Kerber break point. Janklovic again attacks the net, though, to stay in it. She's had joy standing up close to the second seed so far today. Wonderful forehand gives her advanatge, and a poor return from Kerber makes it 1-1.
Uncharacteristic double fault from Kerber early in game three hands the advanatge to Jankovic. Another great rally falls down on Kerber's side - so unluicky Jankovic. Kerber goes wide, and Jankovic has a break point. Great shot form Kerber, we're back in deuce. Advantage Jankovic. So close, but out - back to deuce. Jankovic not getting the rub of the green here today. L:ong from Jankovic, and Kerber has advanatge. Big blow for the Serbian if she loses this one ... but she's back. Decue again. Jankovic burst into an attack off the serve and overpowers Kerber, and another (fourth today, I make it) flawed drop-shot fails to pay off for Kerber. Jankovic has broken.

4.51pm
Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 3-6 (GER) Angelique Kerber (Kerber takes the first set)
Jankovic not going out without a fight here and she rallies again on Kerber's serve. An uncharacteristic lapse from the German, and Jankovic has three break points now - surely she'll take this? She does. She's still in this set. 5-3 Kerber and Jankovic back on serve.
Jankovic starts well, but then plays wayyy long to go to 15-15. Serving to stay in this set, she can ill afford slips here. Masterful drop-shot return (finally) from Kerber (pictured below) snatches a piont that should have been Jankovic's. Even the Serbian smiles at that one. Great rally next - Jankovic takes point for 30-30. Agonisingly long from Jankovic and Kerber has a set point here. Kerber attacks and snatches the point to take the first set.


4.42pm
Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 2-5 (GER) Angelique Kerber
Kerber dominates early in game six to take a commanding 40-15 lead. Before Jankovic gifts her the game with a too long forehand. 4-2 to the German.
Jankovic starts game six with aplomb. Great rally at 30-15 Jankovic - Kerber's defence is impeccable - everything comes back. The she plays a glorious winner which Jankovic can only return into the net. Splendid tennis. Jankovic holding on now here. Double fault and Kerber has another break point. Crowd willing the Serbian on. Game Kerber, and this set looks to be slipping away from the battling Jankovic, but Kerber, again, has been excellent today.

4.33pm
Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 2-3 (GER) Angelique Kerber
Ther German quickly into a 30-0 lead in game four. Jankovic levels courtesy of a cracking down-the-liner. Kerber takes the addvanatge afte a long rally to close in on game four ... but Jankovic takes it to deuce. Kerber with advantage after a fantastic long forehand, and she takes the game when Jankovic returns into the net.
Jankovic inot a 30-0 lead in game five, capitalising on another woeful drop shot. Obviously that's not the German's strongest weapon. Jankovic make sit 40-0, and seals game five. Still tantalisingly close this one. At 42 minutes already, we could be in for a marathon session here.

4.09pm
Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 1-2 (GER) Angelique Kerber
A nervy opening from the German allows Jankovic to sweepo into an early lead at 30-0. Kerber levels with a fine long forehand, but Jankovic seems to have won the point ... only for Kerber to reap the benefit of a marginal challenge. Kerber then goes to advantage, but goes long to take us back to deuce. Kerber snatches the advantage and Jankovic puts one long to break in the first game.
Kerber starts game two with more measured tennis - she's been on it so far this week, but Jankovic battles back with a couple of fine returns. At 40-30, Jankovic challenges a decison, and loses out - as she often has this week, last night she said challenging isn't her strong point - and we're back to deuce. Long from Kerber, advantage Jankovic. Back to deuce. Advantage Kerber ... and she sees it home to break and make the first mark of the match. 2-0 t the German.
Sustained pressure from the Serbian eventually gets Kerber in game three. Kerber fights back, but Jankovic is relentless. A poor drop shot from Kerber allows Jankovic to cross-court long for 40-30.  Another very loose drop-shot from the German but Jankovic can't capitalise and it's deuce, again. Advantage Kerber. But Jankovic battles back. This has been close so far. The score not telling the whole story. Wonderful rally at deuce - has there ever been a crowd that didn't love a long lob? - and Jankovic has the advantage. Double fault from the fourth seed - not helping herself at key moments here. Then an ace to nose back in front - that definitely helps. Back to deuce. Long from Kerber this time, advantage Jankovic. Into the net, and Jankovic holds to make it 2-1 Kerber at the changeover. 


Back again: Prudential confirms partnership as Hong Kong Tennis Open sponsor

Hong Kong Tennis Open can be Asia's answer to Wimbledon or the Australian Open, say organisers  

'I can still beat the best': Jelena Jankovic crowned champion at Hong Kong Tennis Open 

Jelena Jankovic wins the Hong Kong Tennis Open with a three-set win over Angelique Kerber

Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open 2015

Angeliuqe Kerber and Jelena Jankovic prepare to draw swords at Victoria Park. Photos: SCMP Pictures

A moment of genius turned the tide Kerber's way in game nine. She took the first set.

Red sky at night, but whose delight?

Jelena Jankovic is the Hong Kong Tennis Open champion.

Sport

Tennis

Jelena Jankovic takes on Angelique Kerber in the final of the Hong Kong Open at Victoria Park


Jelena Jankovic meets Angelique Kerber in the final of the Prudential Hong Kong Open live at Victoria Park


Jelena Jankovic wins the Hong Kong Tennis Open with a three-set win over Angelique Kerber

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Jelena Jankovic takes on Angelique Kerber in the final of the Hong Kong Open at Victoria Park

Jelena Jankovic takes on Angelique Kerber in the final of the Hong Kong Open at Victoria Park