As the season-ending Championships at Doha kicked off, a Russian and a Serb prevailed in the White Group in the first matches of the day, while a Russian lost to this year's Wimbledon champion in the Maroon Group.Vera Zvonareva was the last player to qualify, but she was the first player to roam the courts on Monday, after she won her match against Svetlana Kuznetsova in easy straight sets, 62 63.
Next up were the two Serbs, Jelena Jankovic and Ana Ivanovic. Jankovic, the No. 1 in the world, beat countrywoman Ivanovic easily, 63 64.
The last match of the day featured Venus Williams and Dinara Safina. Safina held a great lead in the first set at 4-1 up, but wasn't strong enough to close the set out, and she lost the second set easily to the American, 75 63.
"When I was down 5-2 I thought, 'If I lose this set, it's got to be at least 6-4,'" Williams said. "Itook it from there that I don't give any set away easily. I took the attitude of trying to get some more balls in play but still be aggressive. I just started playing better tennis - playing the ball and enjoying myself. There were some tough games, but they kept going my way. I was very excited about that."
"This is my first time playing a round robin," Williams added. "I'm definitely taking it one match at a time. I have a ton of experience playing big matches though, so I'm really looking forward to the rest of my round robin matches."
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
ROUND ROBIN
White Group
(8) Vera Zvonareva (RUS) d. (6) Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) 62 63
(1) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) d. (4) Ana Ivanovic (SRB) 63 64
Maroon Group
(7) Venus Williams (USA) d. (2) Dinara Safina (RUS) 75 63
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