World No.1 and top seed Jelena Jankovic defeated Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova 7-6(6) 6-4 in the round robin phase of the Sony Ericsson Championships in Doha and ensured her spot in the semifinals of the season-ending event.

Jankovic broke serve in the very first game, and looked to be on a perfect way to claim the first set comfortably. However, after stepping up at 5-4 having lost only three previous points on serve, Jankovic’s level decreased and sixth-seeded Kuznetsova converted her first break point to level at 5-5. The Serb broke again in the following game, but was once more unable to serve out. Finally, Jankovic won the set in a tie-break. The second set progressed on serve for nine games but when Kuznetsova was left serving to stay in the tournament, she was unable to hold on.

The loss ends Kuznetsova’s participation at the 2008 Sony Ericsson Championships. The Russian made her event debut in 2004 and has qualified for the fourth time, but is yet to progress past the round robin stage.

Vera Zvonareva is the other semifinalist from the four-player White Group. Besides Kuznetsova, Ana Ivanovic is the other White Group competitor who can no longer qualify.

Additional info: During the match with Kuznetsova, Jankovic had problems with a back injury. Hopefully it will heal enough for her to play the rest of the matches with ease. (photo: Getty Images)

Both the Williams sisters won their round-robin matches on Wednesday at the season-ending Sony Ericsson Championships in Doha.

Third-seeded Serena saw her first action of the week and moved to 1-0 in the four-player Maroon Group with a 6-4 6-1 victory over Russian Dinara Safina, who is a disappointing 0-2 already this week. Safina lost to Venus Williams on Tuesday.

In another Maroon Group match, seventh-seeded Venus defeated fifth-seeded Olympic gold medalist Elena Dementieva 6-4 4-6 6-3. Venus is now 2-0 and appears well on her way to the semifinals, while Dementieva fell to 0-1.

On Thursday the Williams sisters will play each other. Serena is 9-8 all-time against her older sister, including a 2-1 record this year. The two have never met at the season-ending Championships.

Besides the clash of Venus and Serena Williams, the Sony Ericsson Championships will feature the following matches on Thursday: Jelena Jankovic vs. Svetlana Kuznetsova, Dinara Safina vs. Elena Dementieva. (photos: Getty Images)

Ana Ivanovic lost another match at the Sony Ericsson Championships in Doha – on Tuesday the French Open champion fell to fellow Serb Jelena Jankovic, while on Wednesday she lost the first career three-setter against Russian Vera Zvonareva.

Eighth-seeded Zvonareva defeated fourth-seeded Ivanovic 6-3 6-7(5) 6-4 after two hours and 28 minutes of play.

It was the second match at the 2008 Sony Ericsson Championships for both players. Zvonareva went past compatriot Svetlana Kuznetsova on Tuesday.

Ivanovic and Zvonareva have one more round-robin match in their White Group.

Just like in the match against Jankovic, Ivanovic again had breathing problems. Near the end of the first set today, Ivanovic received medical help, and I hear it was due to a virus.

Before today's clash at the Sony Ericsson Championships, the last time Ivanovic and Zvonareva met was in the final of the Generali Ladiez Linz ten days ago, and the Serb was victorious then in straight sets.

Gossip info: Fernando Verdasco was again in the stands supporting Ana. (photos: Getty Images)

American Venus Williams recovered from a 5-2 deficit in the opening set to defeated Russian Dinara Safina 7-5 6-3.

Safina, the debutant at the Sony Ericsson Championships, let the two-time semifinalist Williams win five straight games to take the first set. Williams had little trouble in closing out the win in the second.

Second seed Safina will play Serena Williams in her next round-robin match, while seventh-seeded Venus Williams will play Olympic champion Elena Dementieva. (photo: Getty Images)

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)

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 »

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)

You probably know about the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour’s Challenge Your Hero campaign and their video competition.

Yodhi Soemardjan won the first place with his Routine Hero video in which he is challenging Ana Ivanovic. Yodhi will have the thrilling opportunity to see his Heroes up close at the Sony Ericsson Championships in Doha next week.

There are also five second place winners who will be receiving Sony Ericsson mobile phones.