Jelena Jankovic produced a superb come-from-behind victory to clinch the Hong Kong Open as Angelique Kerber missed a chance to confirm her spot in the WTA Finals.

Second seed Kerber has won four titles in a fine 2015 season, but she came up short in a 3-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-1 defeat to her Serbian opponent.

A win for Kerber would have guaranteed her a spot in the season-ending WTA Finals in Singapore, however she must wait to be sure of a place in the tournament and is scheduled to play next in the Kremlin Cup in Russia next week.

For Jankovic - who had lost her last three encounters against Kerber - the win completes a second title in as many months following her success at the Guangzhou Open in September.

Jankovic's prospects appeared bleak as Kerber broke twice in the opening seven games to take a 5-2 lead, and although the German failed to serve it out another loss of serve by Jankovic brought an end to the set.

There were six breaks in a back-and-forth second set, with Jankovic's nerve failing her when serving out at 5-4, but the Serbian recovered to take the tie-break.

Jankovic raced into a 3-0 lead in the decider and Kerber - who needed a medical time out - was unable to fight her way back into the contest.