Now the bubbly 22-year-old from Belgrade wants to put the smile back into Serbia and believes that she, fellow top ten women's player Ana Ivanovic as well as men's world number six Novak Djokovic have a role to play.

"I think the sports and the athletes in general are the best for the country," said Jankovic, one of the game's most improved players.

"It's amazing that we have three players in the top ten. I am really proud of that and hopefully we'll continue to become better and better."

Like Djokovic, who once walked on court at the Paris Masters wearing a Zorro mask, Jankovic enjoys the lighter side of life, punctuating her press conferences with a stream of giggles.

"I'm just a person who likes to laugh," she said after a 6-2, 6-2 win over France's Stephanie Foretz gave her a place in the French Open second round on Tuesday.

"I like to enjoy life and laugh, make jokes especially with my team. We all have a good sense of humour. It helps to stay positive and to work hard."

Jankovic is being talked of as a potential champion here.

She was voted the most improved player on the tour in 2006 when she made the US Open semifinals and came into Paris having captured three titles in 2007 in Auckland, Charleston and Rome.

"It's amazing what a difference a year can make," she said.

"I'm number four in the world. I don't know how to explain it. Winning three titles this year with two Tier 1 tournaments on clay gave me a lot of confidence especially coming into the French Open.

"Hopefully I can continue."

Jankovic, who is based full-time in Florida, also hopes that her success and the emergence of Ivanovic and Djokovic will inspire youngsters in Serbia to take up the sport.

"I think all the Serbian top players are motivating the kids. Hopefully we will also get a tennis centre. They are trying to build one. It will help the youngsters to develop their games and to improve so that they don't have to go outside the country and practice."