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.

American Venus Williams and Russian Vera Zvonareva have clinched the two remaining singles spots in the Sony Ericsson Championships to be played in Doha from November 4 to 9, 2008.

Aiming for the season-ending title and a share of the record prize money of $4.45 million, the best eight singles players and four doubles teams of the 2008 season will take part in the prestigious competition.

It will be Venus Williams’ third appearance at the event. The previous two times, in 1999 and 2002, she was a semifinalist. Zvonareva will be making her second appearance, having fallen in the round robin stage in 2004.

Six players had qualified for the Sony Ericsson Championships before Venus Williams and Vera Zvonareva: Jelena Jankovic, Ana Ivanovic, Serena Williams, Dinara Safina, Elena Dementieva, and Svetlana Kuznetsova. (photos: Getty Images)