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Zvonareva to face Wozniacki after Clijsters coup

Vera Zvonareva is unbeaten in Doha © Getty Images

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Vera Zvonareva booked a semi-final showdown with world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki after beating Kim Clijsters at the WTA Championships in Doha.

With both players having already sealed their places in the semi-finals, it was merely a case of establishing their opponents, but Zvonareva avenged her US Open final defeat with a 6-4 7-5 victory.

The world No. 2's victory ensured she finished top of the White Group as the only unbeaten player left in Doha and she will carry momentum into her semi-final against Wozniacki.

A late break at the crucial end of each set clinched an impressive victory for Zvonareva, who sealed the win with an emphatic service game to love.

Clijsters and Wozniacki were heavily tipped to meet in the final, and remained on course for such an encounter after both players finished second in their respective groups. However, US Open champion Clijsters will first have to find her way past Sam Stosur, who upset Wozniacki on Wednesday.

Jelena Jankovic picked up the wooden spoon after slumping to defeat at the hands of Victoria Azarenka. With two defeats apiece, the pair were merely playing for pride; neither wanting to leave Doha with three defeats.

After edging a nervy opening set, the Belarusian raced away with the second set for a 6-4 6-1 victory. Jankovic battled hard, but Azarenka was more than a match for everything the Serb threw at her, as the world No. 10 sealed third place in the White Group.

In another match with just pride up for grabs, Francesca Schiavone ended the year on a high with a straight-sets victory over Elena Dementieva. With neither player able to qualify for the semi-finals, French Open champion Schiavone notched a 6-4 6-2 victory, but her win was overshadowed by Dementieva's decision to call time on her career.

A confident display from Schiavone sealed third place in the Maroon Group, while Dementieva was left to rue a series of unforced errors as she struggled to cope with Schiavone's shot variety. It was Dementieva who snatched the early break after saving two break points in her opening service game, but lost three games in a row to go a break down. But after winning just six points on her second serve, Dementieva suffered her second defeat in Doha before bidding an emotional farewell to the sport.

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