Jelena Jankovic is ready to show that she is back as a force in women’s tennis at the WTA Championships in Istanbul.

The Serbian has qualified for the eight-woman tournament for the first time in three years after a season that has seen her return to the top 10.

From 2007 to 2010, Jankovic was a fixture in the top 10 and, after reaching the final of the US Open in 2008, she finished the season as world number one. But injuries took their toll, her confidence wilted and last season she briefly fell out of the top 30.

Jankovic said: “It’s been a great journey making it to the championships. I have worked very hard since the beginning of the year.

“I got injured in Australia, tore my muscle, and couldn’t train for three weeks. After that, I called my brother and I started working with him, and he told me from the beginning that his goal is to bring me back to the top.

“So with the hard work, we believed. I got new motivation and it gives me great satisfaction that I was able to make it here and that all that hard work has paid off.”

Consistency has been the bedrock of Jankovic’s success this year, with the 28-year-old reaching at least the quarter-finals of eight tournaments, including at the French Open.

Explaining the transformation, she said: “There is a reason why you were losing.

“So you have to figure out a way to win again and try to do the right things. And over the years I think I have learned a lot.

“Now as a 28-year-old I can use that to my advantage. I have a lot more knowledge. So, I’m ready to work hard and to show the world some great tennis performances.

“I love the competition, I love the satisfaction of winning, I love playing against the best tennis players in the world. I enjoy spending time on the court, and as well I enjoy spending time on the practice court, which was at times not the case.”

Jankovic will meet Li Na today.

Played yesterday: Azarenka bt Errani 7-6 6-2; Serena Williams bt Kerber 6-3 6-1.