Ivanovic loses again
Ana Ivanovic, the photogenic French Open champion who looked about to become tennis' hottest property only four months ago, looks likely to crash out of the WTA Tour year-end championships after a second successive defeat on Wednesday.
Ivanovic also felt dizzy on court for the second night in a row, and had her blood pressure measured during a two-hour 26-minute 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 6-4 loss in humid conditions to Vera Zvonareva of Russia.
It followed a straight sets loss to fellow Serbian, Jelena Jankovic, the world number one, on Tuesday.
"I have had a virus," said Ivanovic.
"But I don't know why my blood pressure was taken - it frightened me and made me feel worse. I need a miracle to qualify now."
Venus Williams won her second match in two days when she beat Elena Dementieva 6-4 4-6 6-3 to leave herself on the brink of the semis with one round-robin match to play.
Both Williams and Russia's Dementieva had difficulty settling into the match and just one service game was held in the first set.
But the quality of play improved as the match progressed, with many well-contested rallies as each player sought an advantage.
Serving was another matter. Williams struggled with hers throughout the match, three times hitting a pair of double faults and finishing the match with 10 in all.
But it was Dementieva, who in her eight appearances at the season-ending event has won just three of her 18 matches, who crucially double-faulted to give Williams a break for 5-3 in the final set.
Bizarrely, the American then called for a fresh pair of shoes before serving out the match.
It was a good day for the Williams sisters, as Serena then opened up her campaign with a 6-4 6-1 victory over Dinara Safina .
A break of serve in the opening game was enough to take the first set before she proceeded to dominate the second.
Safina struggled on her serve throughout the match - firing a total of 10 double faults - and is now on the brink of elimination after losing to both Williams sisters.
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