Elena Dementieva and Serena Williams were supposed to fight for the last spot in the semifinals of the Sony Ericsson Championships, but the third-seeded American withdrew shortly before the match due to a stomach injury.
Instead of Serena, fifth-seeded Dementieva is currently playing second alternate Nadia Petrova. First alternate Agnieszka Radwanska will replace Ana Ivanovic, who withdrew because of a viral illness, in a dead rubber against Svetlana Kuznetsova.
Dementieva’s place in the semifinals is certain, even if she loses to Petrova. She will play Vera Zvonareva for a spot in the final.
As Russian Vera Zvonareva continued her winning ways in her White Group, beating world No.1 Jelena Jankovic 2-6 6-3 6-4, the Serb will have to face the player who tops the Maroon Group, American Venus Williams.
