Jankovic beats Rybarikova 7-6 (5), 6-3 to give Serbia 1-0 lead vs Slovakia in Fed Cup

Jankovic wins opener for Serbia in Fed Cup

BELGRADE, Serbia — Jelena Jankovic defeated Magdalena Rybarikova 7-6 (5), 6-3 to give Serbia a 1-0 lead over Slovakia in a Fed Cup World Group playoff.

The seventh-ranked Jankovic said Saturday she had a wrist injury but it was “important that I won this point for Serbia.”

Bojana Jovanovski of Serbia plays against Daniela Hantuchova in the next singles match.

The losing team will drop out of the Fed Cup World Group.

Jankovic led 3-0 in the opening set before Rybarikova rallied. She lost two match points at 5-2 in the second set.