Jankovic replaces Serena atop rankings

Oct 6, 2008 - 12:37 PM ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (Ticker) -- Jelena Jankovic on Monday overtook Serena Williams as the world's top-ranked player.

This marks the second stint as the world No. 1 for Jankovic, who also held the spot for one week in August.

Williams had held the honor for the last four weeks after defeating Jankovic in the U.S. Open final.

However, Williams' stunning second-round loss to China's Li Na last week in Stuttgart guaranteed the 23-year-old Serb the top spot in Monday's updated rankings.

Jankovic went on to win at Stuttgart and - with her victory in Beijing a week earlier - won back-to-back titles for the first time in her career.

Her 4,230 ranking points have her 213 points clear of Williams and third-ranked Dinara Safina is 448 points off the lead.

"I'm happy the hard work I've put in is paying off," said Jankovic, who is 9-1 since her loss at Flushing Meadows. "I've been playing very well since the U.S. Open and my confidence is quite high. ... My main goal is to finished the season at No. 1."

Jankovic has won more matches than any other play on tour this year, compiling a 59-16 record in 19 tournaments.

She has won three titles this season and eight overall, but remains the only No. 1 in the history of the WTA rankings to have never won a Grand Slam title.