Jankovic cruises into first final of season at Indian Wells

FORMER world number one Jelena Jankovic reached her first final of the season after a comfortable straight sets defeat of Samantha Stosur at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.

COMFORTABLE VICTORY: World number nine Jelena Jankovic reaches her first final of the season after easing past a below-par Samantha Stosur in Indian Wells (Getty Images)

The Serbian hadn't progressed past the last four in eight previous attempts in California but was rarely tested by an out-of-sorts Stosur and prevailed 6-2, 6-4 in 88 minutes to set up a final clash with Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki.

World number nine Jankovic has endured a torrid start to the season, bowing out of January's Australian Open in the third round and winning just one match in her other three tournaments prior to Indian Wells.

But a below-par field in California has played into the Serbian's hands and she progressed to the last four without having to play a top 15 player.

And while world number 11 Stosur, who will reach the top ten for the first time after her performance in Indian Wells, should have provided Jankovic with her sternest test to date, the Australian never settled in her first semi-final of the season.

Stosur eventually made 47 unforced errors during the two sets but Jankovic insisted the victory hadn't been as comfortable as she made it seem.

"It was really tough for me," said Jankovic, who scored her third straight sets defeat of Stosur with the win.

"Her serve is so hard to return but I just tried to stay focused on returning and do my best to get into the points.

"She's a great player so I feel like this is a really good win for me and I'm looking forward to a break before the final."

Nursing an apparent neck injury, Stosur's usually devilish slice serve was failing to fire on all cylinders and her opponent was quick to pounce, firing numerous return winners from the back of the court.

The Australian's backhand also deserted her in California and after Stosur resisted four break points, Jankovic finally broke through at the fifth time of asking.

With her opponent's confidence dashed, Jankovic steamed through the next four games to claim the first set and take an early break in the second.

A brief lapse in the Serbian's concentration saw Stosur stem the tide and break back but Jankovic's free hitting soon returned and she broke again to take command.

A late onset of nerves allowed Stosur to fashion two break points as Jankovic served for the set but the Serbian eventually warded off any signs of a comeback to progress.

Last year's US Open runner-up Wozniacki overcame Poland's fifth seed Agnieszka Radwanska with a comfortable straight sets victory 6-2, 6-3 over her friend to book her place in the final.