Martinez Sanchez wins Italian Open

Rome: Unseeded Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez of Spain sliced and diced her way to the Italian Open title on Saturday, frustrating seventh-ranked Jelena Jankovic 7-6 (5), 7-5.

Jankovic beat hard-hitting Venus and Serena Williams in her previous two matches and had no answer for Martinez Sanchez's touch volleys and repeated drop shots.

It's the first Tier I title for the 26th-ranked Martinez Sanchez, who beat second-seeded Caroline Wozniacki in the third round and knocked out former No. 1 Ana Ivanovic in the semifinals.

Jankovic was aiming for her third title at the Foro Italico.