Zvonareva falls, Jankovic through to quarters and to Doha

Vera Zvonareva was bundled out of her home tournament on Thursday, falling to Tsvetana Pironkova in the second round, also putting her out of contention for Doha.

Zvonareva, the No.1 seed at the Premier-level event, seemed completely out of sorts against the Bulgarian qualifier, winning only 12 points in the 27-minute first set and, after hanging with her on serve early in the second set, dropping four straight games to fall quietly, 60 62.

By virtue of the pre-quarterfinal loss, Zvonareva took herself out of contention for the eighth spot in the Sony Ericsson Championships - Doha 2009, that spot now going to Jelena Jankovic, the No.2 seed here, who took the court later in the day for her own second round match. Although she would have qualified without winning the match, Jankovic beat Lucie Safarova, 76(5) 63. Safarova led 5-3 first set and even had three set points at 5-4 but succumbed in a tie-break before the Serb moved comfortably through the second set.

"Even though I made it to Doha and that's very exciting, this tournament is very important to me," Jankovic said. "I came here to compete. I'm trying my best in every match and hope to win. I want to finish the year in the best possible way."

Only one other seed was in action Thursday, the No.8 seed, Francesca Schiavone, who rallied from a break down to beat Monica Niculescu, 62 75. A trio of Russians - Alisa Kleybanova, Vera Dushevina and Maria Kirilenko - won matches between unseeded players to make the quarters.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Singles - Second Round

(Q) Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) d. (1) Vera Zvonareva (RUS) 60 62

(2) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) d. Lucie Safarova (CZE) 76(5) 63

(8) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d. Monica Niculescu (ROU) 62 75

Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) d. (Q) Evgeniya Rodina (RUS) 61 62

Vera Dushevina (RUS) d. Agnes Szavay (HUN) 36 64 63

Maria Kirilenko (RUS) d. Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) 64 63