BNP Paribas Open finalist Jelena Jankovic revealed she almost did not take her place in the field in Indian Wells.

The 18th seed had won just two matches in four tournaments this year coming into the WTA Premier event in California - before storming to the final, downing three seeds in her path.

The former world number one defeated Madison Keys, Belinda Bencic and Sabine Lisicki to reach the final, where she fell in three sets to third seed Simona Halep.

But Jankovic revealed she was lucky just to get to the start line, after retiring injured due to a hip problem during a second-round match with Petra Kvitova at the Qatar Open in February.

"I was limping three days before the tournament started," Jankovic said. 

"I was actually in doubt if I could even play. When I came to these courts, on the first day I hadn't hit a ball for 10 days. I was hitting, but I was standing. I was not moving.

"But I was hitting the ball so great without any practice. I had a good feeling. I felt so great. I was just so happy to be out there again. But I didn't think I would make the finals after not preparing."

Halep paid tribute to her Serbian opponent, before crediting the title - her third of 2015 - as the best of her career.

"First of all I want to congratulate Jelena - you were amazing," Halep said. 

"Well done for a great two weeks here. You did a great job, and it was an amazing final. I'm really happy I could win.

"This is my biggest title and I will never forget it."