Discussion

Ivanovic, Jankovic have propelled each other to the top

The odds a city like Belgrade could germinate two dominating players seem remote. But Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic are on the precipice of a world No. 1 ranking -- because of each other.

Updated: June 3, 2008, 4:46 PM ET
By Greg Garber | ESPN.com

PARIS -- The first tennis match they ever played, Ana Ivanovic remembers, was in a carpeted swimming pool in Belgrade, Serbia. In a 10-under tournament, 9-year-old Jelena Jankovic hammered the 7-year-old Ivanovic, 7-1.

Jankovic swears she can't recall any such match.

Thirteen years later, on Thursday, Ivanovic and Jankovic will meet on the red clay of Court Philippe Chatrier with an opportunity to become the No. 1-ranked player in the world.

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2008 FRENCH OPEN

French Open Video

May 25-June 8
Defending champions:
Women: Justine Henin
Men: Rafael Nadal


Day 15
• Men
• Ford: Nadal simply too good against Federer
• Garber: Federer resolute in confidence, ability
• Harwitt: Rafael Nadal the best clay-courter ever?
• Photo gallery: Best of Week 2 from Paris
• Ubha: French Open men's final instant analysis

Day 14
• Women
• South Americans take men's doubles
• Garber: Maturation, confidence help Ivanovic
• Ford: Zen-like calm elevating Ivanovic
• Harwitt: Can Ivanovic hang on to No. 1 ranking?
• Ubha: French Open women's final instant analysis

Day 13
• Men
• Bob Bryan, Azarenka win French mixed doubles
• Garber: Federer in need of a monumental effort
• Ford: Nadal handles Djokovic with relative ease
• Harwitt: Borg spends birthday extolling Nadal
• Who will win the French Open women's final?

Day 12
• Women
• Garber: Ivanovic, Safina set to duke it out
• Ivanovic to take over No. 1 ranking
• Ford: Djokovic ready to reshuffle world order
• Latest Dirt: Men's semifinal preview
• The big three: Federer looking past Monfils?
• Harwitt: Safina's mom has reason to extol virtue

Day 11
• Men | Women
• Latest Dirt: Women's semifinal preview
• The big three: Federer semifinal streak lives on
• Harwitt: Rolling out the red carpet
• Tennis.com: Federer's time right now

Day 10
• Men | Women
• Garber: Serbs thriving because of each other
• Chip and Charge: Assessing the French
• The big three: Nadal-Djokovic ready to battle
• Sharapova to fall from top spot after French Open

Day 9
• Men | Women
• Garber: Sharapova sent packing by Safina
• Latest Dirt: Americans officially done
• Garber: Ranking the sweet 16 players
• The big three: Federer and Gonzo to clash

Day 8
• Men | Women
• Garber: Ferrer worthy of being in top five
• Latest Dirt: Evaluating the top-five players
• The big three: Humdrum day for Nadal, Djokovic
• ITF to probe player's claim she was told to lose
• Ex-French Open winner Pierce hoping for return

See all stories from Week 1

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