World No.10 Agnieszka Radwanska lost her chance to take the final qualifying spot for the prestigious Sony Ericsson Championships in Doha, losing to 61st-ranked Maria Kirilenko 6-3 6-3 in the first round of the Kremlin Cup.
Radwanska’s defeat means that Jelena Jankovic and Vera Zvonareva will fight it out for the eighth spot at the season-ending Championships. Still, Radwanska will be an alternate for Doha, along with the loser of the qualifying battle between Jankovic and Zvonareva.
World No.12 Flavia Pennetta had a shot at being an alternate at the Sony Ericsson Championships, but she retired from her first-round match at the Kremlin Cup and her chance has thus been removed. The Italian won the opening set against Agnes Szavay 6-4, but after losing the first three games of the following set she retired with a left knee injury. (photo: Ralf Reinecke)
JJ will play in Doha. I hope so
jj has clasified for doha because zvoraneva lost today… what a pity… I’d like vera to be there!
Bravo Jeca
Bravo, Kiri, one of my personal favourites. I’d like to see her in Doha one day.
I also like Maria, but Doha is a long way ahead of her. :/
Yeah, I am with you on this one. She has her moments of greatness but also pretty bleak moments. She needs to keep her head a bit more, but that goes for all Russian players, it seems.
Marine, Kirilenko hasn’t really shined in a long time. I’m actually pleasantly surprised she had these victories in Moscow.
Hmm, maybe she is still finding ground under her feet. It can take a while,the talent is there undoubtedly… But I don’t think it’s another Sharapova.