Radwanska beats error-hit Jankovic

Polish second seed and Wimbledon runner-up Agnieszka Radwanska matched her best US Open performance yesterday by reaching the fourth round with a 6-3, 7-5 win over error-plagued Jelena Jankovic.

Radwanska recorded her 51st victory of the year as she and the 30th-ranked Serb, a former world number one and 2008 finalist, toiled in 32-degree Celsius heat.

“It’s always tough and tight when we play. But I prepared well and I am happy to come through in straight sets,” said Radwanska, who goes on to face Italian 20th seed Roberta Vinci for a place in the quarter-finals.

Vinci reached the last 16 for the first time with a 6-2, 7-5 win over Slovakia’s 13th seed Dominika Cibulkova, a quarter-finalist in 2010.

Radwanska triumphed in a gruelling contest which featured 10 breaks of serve, with Jankovic finally undone by her 37 unforced errors, the last of which came on match point with a wild, ballooned forehand.

Radwanska again played with heavy strapping on her right shoulder but insisted she was not hurt.

“The shoulder is quite good, no complaints. I have played three very good matches here,” said the 23-year-old.

Vinci equalled her best Grand Slam performance with a fourth successive victory over Cibulkova and third this year after previous wins in Indian Wells and Madrid.

Other results (third round)

Women: S. Williams bt Makarova 6-4, 6-0.

Men: Almagro bt Sock 7-6, 6-7, 7-6, 6-1.