Jelena Jankovic

While the path to the number one ranking continues to get tougher, Jelena Jankovic looks to be up to the task at the East West Bank Classic in Los Angeles.

The top-seeded Serb, who can overtake countrywoman Ana Ivanovic atop the WTA rankings with a win this week, defeated ninth-seeded Russian Nadia Petrova 7-5 6-4 on Friday.

Petrova had played well at this venue recently, as evidenced by her runner-up effort last season, but Jankovic was able to overcome her and a nagging knee injury she suffered at Wimbledon.

Things won't get any easier in the semi-finals, where she will face fourth-seeded Russian Dinara Safina, who defeated eighth seed Victoria Azarenka of Belarus 6-3 6-1.

Local fans are pinning their hopes on wild card Bethanie Mattek, whose journey to the quarter-finals has included an upset of No. 11 Nicole Vaidisova.

Mattek advanced to the semis with a 6-2 7-5 victory over China's Meng Yuan, moving within a victory of her first WTA final.

Mattek will take on Flavia Pennetta, who ousted 14th seed Sybille Bammer of Austria 7-6 (7-3) 3-6 6-1.