Serbian world No.1 Jelena Jankovic defeated compatriot Ana Ivanovic 6-3 6-4 in their opening round-robin match at the Sony Ericsson Championships in Doha.

The top-seeded Jankovic established a 3-0 lead in the first set, and even though Ivanovic managed to break back in the fifth game, Jankovic rebroke right away for 4-2. That break was enough to secure Jankovic victory in the first set. The 23-year-old Jankovic started the second set confidently, too. But even though Ivanovic’s game improved, at no point was Jankovic’s victory challenged.

Ivanovic, seeded fourth, didn’t lead for one moment in the match. Her best score actually was when she evened at 3-3 in the second set.

Also victorious on day 1 was Vera Zvonareva who went past fellow Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-2 6-3 in the opening round robin match. Venus Williams and Dinara Sadina are playing at the moment.

Additional info: Ivanovic appeared to have sustained some injury near the end of the match, but she didn’t use medical time-out. I don’t know what the problem was, but I hope Ana is healthy and will be able to play her best in Doha.

BTW: I’m now pretty sure Verdasco and Ana are dating. He was again watching her from the stands. One thing only, he should have been talking on the phone less, and watching Ana’s struggle more.

And also, I have to say this: Ana looks great in that purple dress by adidas. It suits her very well, I was expecting less.

UPDATE: Ivanovic didn't get injured, she had breathing problems. (photo: Getty Images)

From the January of 2009 you will be able to watch both women’s and men’s tennis matched on a new online video streaming website TennisTV.com.

The website will offer live streaming of more than 700 matches, highlights, exclusive interviews and behind the scenes features from more than 40 tournaments around the world.

Fourth seed Ana Ivanovic and fifth seed Elena Dementieva marked the start of the prestigious Sony Ericsson Championships in Doha by playing a historic tennis match staged in an extraordinary place – a desert island. Read more »

Russian top seed Nadia Petrova fought back from a set and a break down to get past Bethanie Mattek 4-6 6-4 6-1 in the final of the Bell Challenge in Quebec City, Canada.

American world No.43 Mattek, probably most famous for her fashion sense, failed to win her first WTA title in her premier appearance in a WTA final. World No.11 Petrova, on the other hand, clinched her ninth career title and her second this season after winning in Cincinnati in August.

The Bell Challenge was the last tournament on the regular WTA schedule. The tennis season ends next week with the Sony Ericsson Championships in Doha where the top eight players of the year will compete for a share of the prize money of $4,550,000.

The eight singles players set to compete in the season-ending Sony Ericsson Championships can now prepare their match strategies for the round robin phase, as the round robin draw has been announced.

There will be two sections, the White Group and the Maroon Group. The group colors were in honor of the flag of Qatar, the hosts for the Tour's year-end event for the next three years.

Four Russians that take part in the event are evenly distributed, while both Serbs are in the White Group, and both the Williams sisters are in the Maroon Group.

WHITE GROUP (Number indicates seeding)

1. Jelena Jankovic (SRB)
4. Ana Ivanovic (SRB)
6. Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS)
8. Vera Zvonareva (RUS)

MAROON GROUP (Number indicates seeding)
2. Dinara Safina (RUS)
3. Serena Williams (USA)
5. Elena Dementieva (RUS)
7. Venus Williams (USA)

Serena Williams enriched her official website with some knew photos, including these from the celebration of Halloween.

Serena’s costume is very odd, don’t you agree? I’m not sure what it represents. Can anyone help? Why would she be almost naked, holding a tennis racquet? Read more »