Dominika Cibulkova defeated second seed Jelena Jankovic 7-5, 6-2 in the quarter-final at Uniprix Stadium in Montreal for her first career win in three tries against her opponent and ruined Jelena's opportunity to claim the world No. 1 ranking.

Jankovic started with a 5-1 lead in the first set but could not hold her serve. Cibulkova reeled off wins in the next six straight games, clinching the set with an ace, and then winning the opening two games of the second set to take a commanding lead.

Jankovic fought back to 3-2, but could do no more as Cibulkova won the final three games, clinching the match when Jankovic returned a second serve into the net.

For the second consecutive week, Jankovic missed an opportunity to take over the top ranking in the women's game from Ana Ivanovic. Jankovic could have achieved the feat by reaching Sunday's final.


This was also Jankovic's fourth straight missed opportunity to lay claim on the world No. 1 ranking. Her losses in the semifinals to Ivanovic at the French Open, in the round of 16 at Wimbledon, and in the semifinals last week in California so as this one cost Jankovic the No. 1 spot.

Top three seeds are now out of the tournament with the elimination of Ivanovic and Jankovic, and the withdrawal of third seed Maria Sharapova with a shoulder injury.

In fact, both Ivanovic and Jankovic were nursing injuries here, with Ivanovic suffering from a sore thumb and Jankovic playing through a torn meniscus in her left knee.

(source CBC, photo/AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Jelena Jankovic missed one more chance to become No. 1