Jelena Jankovic defeated 29th seed Sybille Bammer 6-1 6-4 and cruised into the U.S. Open semi-finals where she'll meet Elena Dementieva who breezed past the 15th seed Patty Schnyder 6-2 6-3 in just 76 minutes.

"I'm happy about winning in two sets," Jankovic told reporters, "I feel that every day I'm better and better. I'm moving a lot better. I'm feeling my shots a lot better."

JJ made only 14 unforced errors compared with 40 from her opponent.

"In the beginning of the tournament I was really not feeling that great, because I wasn't able to practice," Jankovic said. "I was injured at the Olympics and throughout most of the year."

"So of course I couldn't expect for myself to be at the top of my game and in top shape."


"Little by little I'm getting stronger. I do exercises for agility and strength but not too much to make me tired for my matches. I'm happy with how I'm progressing."

Jelena owns a 4-3 career edge on Dementieva as each approaches her fifth career Slam semi-final on Friday.

"Right now I have two days off, which will help me to recover even more, and then do some more work and hopefully I will be ready and try my best for the semi-final."

"She's a tough player, she's very solid, she moves great," Jankovic said. "I would love to make another step forward and reach my first final of a grand slam."

This will be the fourth US Open semi-final for Dementieva.

"Against someone like her, she is going to play everything back. You can't play on the baseline. You really have to go on the court and create something. That's what I would like to do."

"I have to improve my game if I want to go through to the final," Dementieva said. "I want to attack more. I want to be more aggressive on the court. You can't play defensive if you want to be number one."

After Ivanovic's lost to French qualifier Julie Coin in the second round, Jankovic could now retake the top spot she had for a week in August.

"It would be nice to regain the number one ranking but my goal is to win a Grand Slam. I would love to do something special here."

Three more players also could be number one on Monday, Dementieva, Safina and Serena Williams.

"There is no number one, a real number one," Dementieva said. "The most consistent player is Jelena Jankovic for the moment. Maybe the competition is too tough. It's wide open for a few players."


(source AFP, photo/Matthew Stockman/Getty Images, Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Jelena Jankovic and Elena Dementieva advance to US Open semifinals