Zvonareva battles to second Doha win

(GETTY IMAGES)

Vera Zvonareva's hopes of replacing Caroline Wozniacki as the year-ending world No 1 were still alive last night after the second day's play at the WTA Championships in Doha. While Zvonareva recorded her second victory in the round-robin phase, beating Victoria Azarenka 7-6, 6-4, Wozniacki was beaten 6-4, 6-3 by Sam Stosur.

Wozniacki had swept Elena Dementieva aside in her opening match, but looked out of sorts against Stosur, who had beaten Francesca Schiavone 24 hours earlier. The Australian, who saved all six break points against her, served well throughout and hit the ball with growing confidence.

Zvonareva trailed in both sets to Azarenka, but her powerful backhand eventually wore down her 21-year-old opponent from Belarus. Having looked tight on her first two match points, Zvonareva was grateful when Azarenka hit a backhand long on the third.

Kim Clijsters won her first match, inflicting a second successive defeat on Jelena Jankovic. Clijsters won 6-2, 6-3.

Tim Henman and Goran Ivanisevic are to face each other on a court for the first time since their semi-final at Wimbledon nine years ago. They will meet on 1 December in the round-robin phase of the Aegon Masters at the Royal Albert Hall, where Henman will be making his debut on the seniors tour.