Simona Halep has set up a semi-final clash with Serena Williams in the Rome Masters by overcoming Jelena Jankovic in three sets.
It was the perfect start for the Romanian, who held her opening serve before breaking Jankovic at the first time of asking.
However, the Serb battled and broke back immediately before starting to take control of the match with some dominant serving.
She made her move in the ninth to take an important break and, despite a strong game by Halep who saved two set points, she held serve to take a thrilling opening set.
The second set was a complete whitewash for Halep who took it 6-0, with Jankovic only offering any resistance in the last game.
Jankovic then raced into a 3-0 lead in the third, before the Romanian fought back, breaking twice to make it 4-4.
World number 18 Jankovic had the opportunity to serve for the match, but Halep saved two match points before taking the game on her first break point.
Halep held her serve in the next before breaking Jankovic once more to take the deciding set 7-5 and seal her progression into the last four.
Matt Domm
