BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) Jelena Jankovic staved off a bee and two set points in a 6-1, 7-6 (3) win over British wild card Melanie South to advance at the grass-court Aegon Classic on Wednesday.
Also, American Christina McHale lost 6-1,1-6, 7-5 to Russian Elena Vesnina, who reached the fourth round of Wimbledon. Andrea Hlavackova defeated Mona Barthel 7-6 (5), 6-2.
Jankovic saved two set points from 4-5, 15-40 - just as they did when she defeated Maria Sharapova to win the title here five years ago.
That was the last time I was here, so I would love to win it again,'' said the 22st-ranked Jankovic, who is returning to form after a thigh injury in February.I think my taste is changing because I actually do like grass and I never used to. I hit the ball pretty flat and I have the game to do well on it.''
The bee bothered Jankovic not long after she had a poor service game in the second set. Trailing 4-2 she seemed ready to receive South's first service of the seventh game.
Instead, Jankovic suddenly darted toward the back stop, calling out ``Wait, wait, wait.''
South then double-faulted.