Vera Zvonareva played one of her longest two-setters to record her second win at the 2010 WTA Championships. The second-seeded Zvonareva saw off Victoria Azarenka 7-6(4) 6-4, but only after recovering from 2-4 in the first set and 1-3 in the second. Seed number eight Azarenka came to Doha fresh off her Premier-level Kremlin Cup title, but that very victory in the Russian capital gave her less time to prepare for the season-ending Championships. Zvonareva is now the leader in the White Group with 4-0 set win/loss record.
In the second match of the day, Kim Clijsters, playing her first match since winning the US Open in September, opened her Doha campaign with a 6-2 6-3 win over Jelena Jankovic. The third-seeded Clijsters hit seven aces, but double faults were her weak point this time as she made a total of 10. The Belgian is the only player in the field to have won the WTA Championships in the past and she achieved that feat two times, in 2002 and 2003.
In the Maroon Group, Samantha Stosur pulled off the first upset of the tournament by beating world number one Caroline Wozniacki 6-4 6-3, without even losing her serve. Stosur did face break points, but saved all six of them, while she converted two of her three opportunities to break the top-seeded Wozniacki. Stosur is now the best performer in her group, with 4-0 set win/loss record. (photos: © Neal Trousdale)
I don’t think it’s such an upset for Wozniacki, knowing how good Stosur can play, even though her last match against Schiavone didn’t promice so much. Not a good perfomance from Caro- too,too defansive, but Sam played well,real agressive, served good at break points and so on.Too bad for Azarenka, I think she should really do something about her menthal stability,it’s really a problem, but I guess it will come in time, or at least hope so.Hate to see her losing matches like this.As for Clijsters and Jankovic- I think it wasn’t a bad match at all, you could see some great shots and points, JJ was trying, but, Kim was too good, but all those double faults from Kim’s side are worring me.Hope she’ll put an end to that and hope seeing Kimmy with the title! 😀
What a pleasure it was watching the Wozniacki Stosur match with no banshee squaling; two proper ladies. I have been a big Sam Stosur fan for a few years and although I also like Kim Clijsters , I am up for Sammy in this one
Des, Liverpool, England
Wow, I was totally wrong thinking that Stosur is gonna perform bad in Doha!She upset Woz and doing so she kept battle for the year end no.1 alive!I hope rest of the tournament will be really interesting.
This was a great play from Sam, interestingly today the coins turned. Stosur is the loser and Caroline the winner. I watched both matches and really enjoyed myself. I did not believe Dementieva would win but she played her best there and so deserves it! Caroline found her the bit of stamina she kind of lost the night before and did not give Schiavone a chance in last two sets. This year’s Doha is much more exciting than last year. I don’t know how about other people but I totally do not miss Henin or Williamses. It’s great to see some new faces giving people a great show to watch.
Marine, interestingly, I don’t miss them either. We are getting just as good entertainment from the current competitors.