Russian, Serb, and American prevail on Day 1 of season ending Championships in Doha

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

Petrova dismisses American in Quebec City final; captures second title of season

Nadia Petrova was on fire all week, winning all of her previous matches in straight sets, but she prevailed in three on Sunday's final, gaining her second title of the year against an American, who was going fo her fist ever Tour title.

Petrova was obviously comfortable winning all of her matches before the final in two sets, but she had to win three to beat No. 6 seed Bethanie Mattek to achieve the title at the Bell Challenge, 46 64 61.

"Bethanie made it so difficult for me today," Petrova said. "I really had to work hard. The 4-all game in the second set was probably the key moment of the match; it was important I won it. I'm happy how I finished in the third set.

It was really wonderful to win this event. To finish off the season like this is wonderful. Now I have a long journey ahead of me to Doha, but it'll definitely be worth it. And then it'll be really nice to put the racquets aside for a few weeks!"

"I didn't play for a month after the US Open because I hurt my hip there, and I was playing outdoors in Arizona ever since then," the 23-year-old Mattek"So I was trying to get more and more comfortable with each match here in Québec City. I had a great week this week. It was my first time here, and now I can tell why it's one of the players' favorite tournaments. Congratulations to Nadia - she played really well all week, and I wish her luck this week in Doha."

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Singles - Final
(1) Nadia Petrova (RUS) d. (6) Bethanie Mattek (USA) 46 64 61

Petrova one step closer to winning title; will face American

Nadia Petrova has just gotten one step closer to winning her second title of the year, after winning her semifinal match in straight sets, and she will face an American, who is looking to win her first Tour title of the year.

Petrova, top seeded this week in Quebec City, who her match to Angela Haynes, who had never gotten further than the second round in her career, 61 63.

"I beat a lot of tough opponents this week, but Nadia was just too tough today," Haynes said. "I felt like everything was just off from the very beginning. Against a great player like her that's not good enough. She didn't give me any chances to get into the match. But I'm proud of myself. I got into the draw as a lucky loser, and I feel like I really took advantage of that opportunity."

"Getting into the final is what we're all here for, so I'm very happy," Petrova said. "I felt I was very consistent from beginning to end. I just wanted to do everything right. She was cracking the ball really well. When she sets up for the shots she plays really well. And she has a good serve too. There aren't many lefties on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour right now, so she's dangerous."

Bethanie Mattek, seeded sixth, is the one who will face Petrova, after winning to Canadian favourite No. 5 seed Aleksandra Wozniak, 76(4) 63.

"She's ranked ahead of me and was the crowd favorite, so it's a very good win for me," Mattek said. "I just went out there and played my game. She's really good when she's on the offense, so I had to try and keep her from taking control. She hit a lot of good passing shots when I came to the net but the goal was to stay aggressive, and I think I accomplished that against her today."

"I've never played her; I've seen her play a few times though," Petrova said about Mattek. "I know she's aggressive and likes coming into the net. And she's confident this year. She'll be tough to beat tomorrow."

"Nadia has had a great season and is the No.1 seed, so I'm looking forward to playing her," Mattek said. "I'll go out there, enjoy myself and play my game."


Saturday, November 1, 2008

Singles - Semifinals
(1) Nadia Petrova (RUS) d. (LL) Angela Haynes (USA) 61 63
(6) Bethanie Mattek (USA) d. (5) Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) 76(4) 63

Petrova captures semifinal berth, along with fill-in spot in Doha

Nadia Petrova earned a semifinal spot on Saturday at the Bell Challenge, as well as a ticket to the year ending Championships in Doha, where she will act as a fill in, if anyone retires or withdraws.

Petrova, seeded 1st, easily dismissed unseeded Melinda Czink in straight sets, 61 64.

"It's great to be in the semifinals," Petrova said. "I was trying not to think about Doha. I was just trying to concentrate on the match. I had to give it my best, especially in the second set, so that she wouldn't come back in the match. It's great to be finishing the season like this, and I'm thrilled to go to Doha."

Next up for the Russian in Angela Haynes, who is playing a WTA semifinal for the first time in her career, and who beat Nathalie Dechy in the quarters, 26 76(2) 63.

"I've had a good week... I don't want to go home!" Haynes said. "The court is beginning to like me. I'm just glad to be here and continue to play well. I have a very tough match tomorrow - Petrova's very tough, and I have never played her before - but I'll just go out there and have fun. I always try to have fun out there. I won't stress out, I always try to stay relaxed. That's when I play my best."

The other semifinalists of the day were No. 6 seed Bethanie Mattek, who ousted Melanie Oudin 76(7) 61, and No. 5 seed Aleksandra Wozniak, who cruised past Galina Voskoboeva, 62 62.

Friday, October 31, 2008

Singles - Quarterfinals

(1) Nadia Petrova (RUS) d. Melinda Czink (HUN) 61 64

(5) Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) d. Galina Voskoboeva (KAZ) 62 62

(6) Bethanie Mattek (USA) d. Melanie Oudin (USA) 76(7) 61

(LL) Angela Haynes (USA) d. Nathalie Dechy (FRA) 26 76(2) 63