82nd-ranked Latvian Anastasija Sevastova recovered from a slow start to comeback from a set down to upset Jelena Jankovic and move into a first Mallorca Open final. Sevastova played a near-perfect last two sets to keep her fairy tale run going, battling past Jankovic 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 in an hour and 52 minutes. 

Jankovic breaks early, takes tight opening set

Jankovic got off to an immediate lead, breaking in the opening game of the set. The Serb then held easily to consolidate her break for 2-0, before her Latvian opponent did the same for 2-1. The second seed kept up the fine serving, holding again, with Sevastova doing the same the following game. The former world number one then took an easy hold to love, with her 82nd ranked opponent doing the same to limit the margin to one break with Jankovic 4-3 up. 

The former US Open finalist took another easy hold for 5-3, forcing her far less-experienced opponent to serve to stay in the set. Sevastova responded well, taking a routine hold to force Jankovic to serve the first set out. The Serb did just that, saving two break points to hold on and take the opening set 6-4. 

Jelena Jankovic hits a backhand at the 2016 Ricoh Open/Getty Images
Jelena Jankovic hits a backhand at the 2016 Ricoh Open/Getty Images

Sevastova fights back, cruises through second set

The set began with both players holding routinely, followed by a long, four-deuce game, with Sevastova saving break point to hold for 2-1. With the Latvian now confident after her first break point save of the match, the world number 82 came out a different player after the changeover, breaking the Jankovic serve before holding for a 4-1 lead. The 26-year-old broke for an emphatic 5-1 lead, giving herself the chance to serve for the opening set. Sevastova upped her game once again, holding to 30 to level the match at a set all, bagging the second set 6-1. 

Anastasija Sevastova slices a backhand at the 2016 French Open/Getty Images
Anastasija Sevastova slices a backhand at the 2016 French Open/Getty Images

Sevastova closes out upset to reach first Mallorca final

Jankovic began the decider fending off two break points for a hold for 1-0. Sevastova and Jankovic then exchanged holds, before the Latvian took a routine hold to level at 2-all. The world ranked 82 then gained a first break of the set, backing it up with a hold to love the following game to put herself two games from victory.

Sevastova then extended her lead to 5-2, breaking the Jankovic serve for the fourth time in the match to give herself the opportunity to serve for a spot in the inaugural Mallorca Open final. The Latvian world number 82 sealed the match in style, saving two break points to close the upset and move into the first Mallorca Open final 4-6, 6-1, 6-2. Sevastova will next face French sixth seed Caroline Garcia with the Mallorca Open title on the line. 

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Thomas Cluck
Thomas Cluck is an avid tennis fan who loves to share his passion for the sport through writing. Thomas is from Dallas, TX, and is an tennis agent and PR person. Thomas has been watching tennis for many years and covers the sport daily on his Instagram page @atpwta_tennis.