JELENA JANKOVIC proved to the world — and herself — that she can still mix it with the top 10 at the US$250,000 Prudential Hong Kong Open.

    The world number 22 from Serbia fought back from a set and 6-5 down to defeat world number seven Angelique Kerber of Germany 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-1 in the final Sunday night.

    “I think I proved that I can play at the top level,” said the 30-year-old Jankovic.

    “Beating Venus [on Saturday] was a great win for me, and then tonight beating Angelique ... I can do it. I proved it to myself and to others as well.”

    The victory was Jankovic’s third title of the year, coming on top of the Guangzhou Open two weeks ago. Hong Kong was not even on her schedule until she answered the call from organizers after a spate of last-minute withdrawals.

    The 27-year-old Kerber looked impenetrable in cruising into an early advantage. And as she took a 6-5 lead in the second set, few would have foreseen Jankovic battling back to take the title.

    “It was tough — she’s a great competitor and she has been in good form,” said Jankovic. “I’m really happy I was able to win my third title [of the season] here in Hong Kong. It’s amazing.”

    In the third set an ailing Kerber could do nothing to resist the aggressive onslaught that came her way. And as Jankovic wrapped up a dominant third set, the crowd had the outcome it wanted but which seemed so unlikely earlier in the match.

    “At the end, Jelena was playing good and she deserved to win,” said Kerber.  (SD-Agencies)