Former world No 1 Jelena Jankovic appeared to question Serena Williams' sportsmanship after losing a close three-set match to the game's leading player in the semifinals of the WTA Championships.

Williams, who claimed to be exhausted near the end of a long season, reacted with fretful and sometimes distracting behavior while struggling to a 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 two-hour win over Jankovic.

It included weeping into her towel, gesticulating and arm-waving, bending over and slumping, yelling and calling out, and both moving during the rallies and conducting the game at different speeds.

"I never saw her do this when she's leading," Jankovic said of Williams' slow-down tactics.

"Every time she has a lead, she's running for the balls and she's hitting those big serves. But for some reason, every time she starts losing she starts serving slower or not running for certain balls.

"She's the No 1 player in the world, and she plays so well. She deserves to be in this spot. But I think also when you play, winning or losing, you have to be up there and be a good sportsman."

(China Daily 10/30/2013 page24)