Sport - Tennis

Zvonareva beats Ana Ivanovic

DOHA: Venus Williams won her second match in two days at the season-ending WTA Championships on Wednesday when she beat Elena Dementieva 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 to leave herself on the brink of the semis with one round-robin match to play. Russian Vera Zvonareva also remained undefeated after a 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-4 victory over Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic in the white group.

Ivanovic, who suffered a spell of dizziness while losing on Tuesday to Jelena Jankovic, suffered another attack before she was beaten by Zvonareva. The Serbian halted play when down 4-1 in the opening set and her blood pressure was checked before she continued.

Although there were occasional moments of genius from both players, the match was mostly an untidy affair with neither able to take control.

Both Williams and Russia’s Dementieva had difficulty settling into the the maroon group match and just one service game was held in the first set. But the quality of play improved as the match progressed, with many well-contested rallies as each player sought an advantage.

The results: White Group: Vera Zvonareva bt Ana Ivanovic 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-4. Maroon Group: Venus Williams bt Elena Dementieva 6-4, 4-6, 6-3; Serena Williams bt Dinara Safina, Russia, 6-4, 6-1. — Agencies

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