Round robin action at the 2008 Sony Ericsson Championships officially begins on Tuesday in Doha, Qatar.
Only eight of the world’s best tennis players qualified to compete at the prestigious season-ending tournament.
The format at the Championships is different from other regular season events. During the first four days of competition, each player competes against the other three players in their group, with the Top 2 in each pool of four moving on to the semifinals.
WHITE GROUP (Number denotes seeding)
1. Jelena Jankovic (SRB)
4. Ana Ivanovic (SRB)
6. Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS)
8. Vera Zvonareva (RUS)
MAROON GROUP (Number denotes seeding)
2. Dinara Safina (RUS)
3. Serena Williams (USA)
5. Elena Dementieva (RUS)
7. Venus Williams (USA)
Aaress’ Picks for Day One
Svetlana Kuznetsova vs. Vera Zvonareva
This will be a battle between two very nervy Russians. No one doubts Svetlana Kuznetsova’s talent, but so far the only thing that stands out about her 2008 season is her shoddy performances in finals. The 2004 US Open champion has lost ten of her last eleven final matches, including five in 2008. She recently split from her long-time coach Stefan Ortega and is now working with Olga Morozova. Ironically, Kuznetsova is the only singles player at the tournament, including the two alternates, who has not won a title in 2008.
Given the depth of the field, every round robin match at the Championships feels like a final, even a match against Vera Zvonareva. After a few rough seasons, Zvonareva has finally managed to pull herself back into the top 10. She still struggles with consistency, but if she can conquer her nerves this week, Zvonareva might be able to shake up a few players in her group.
Vera Zvonareva in 2 sets
Jelena Jankovic vs. Ana Ivanovic
World number one Jelena Jankovic’s first match at the Championships should live up to its expectations. Jankovic and Ivanovic have a long history of close matches and now that Ivanovic has recovered from her post-French Open slump, she should be able to test her older countrywoman.
Statistically, the head-to-head favors Ivanovic, who has beaten Jankovic six out of seven times. But Jankovic is rested after two weeks off—and ready to prove that she can beat anyone in the draw, especially the Grand Slam winners who denied her a major title in 2008.
Jelena Jankovic in 3 sets
Dinara Safina vs. Venus Williams
Dinara Safina is debuting at the season-ending Championships and will face a challenging opening match against Venus Williams. Venus’ 2008 season peaked at the best time of the year for the American, who handily won her fifth Wimbledon title in July. Safina does not have the experience of Williams, but should be able to handle her powerful groundstrokes on the windy outside courts of Doha.
Safina proved herself a masterful escape artist in tight matches this year, so expect this match to be a close one. Venus is fresh off her victory in Zurich, but she only had to defeat one player ranked inside the Top 15.
Venus Williams in 3 sets
More Doha Information:
Tuesday’s Start Time and Match Order of Play
Sony Ericsson Championships Main Draw
Television Listings for ESPN2 and Tennis Channel
