ROME — Jelena Jankovic lost the Italian Open final to unseeded Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez on Saturday, falling 7-6 (5), 7-5 to the Spaniard's array of touch volleys and drop shots.

The seventh-ranked Serb beat hard-hitting Venus and Serena Williams in her previous two matches, but had no answer for Martinez Sanchez's shotmaking.

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.