Venus to clash with Serena in Doha final today
Venus to clash with Serena in Doha final today
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Venus Williams is all smiles after beating Jelena Jankovic in a thrilling semi-final in Doha on Saturday. pic/AFP |
Venus, the world number seven, defeated Serbia's Jelena Jankovic 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 in her semi-final while 2001 champion Serena, the new world number one, reached the final when Caroline Wozniacki was forced to retire.
Danish teenager Wozniacki, who came into the tournament carrying a left thigh strain and who had struggled with cramps in the round-robin stage, was 4-6, 1-0 when a stomach strain forced to her to quit.
"Caroline is a great fighter and a new face on the tour," said Serena, who has now won all four matches in the tournament including a three-set group win over her sister. "I have never done well in the round-robin format in the past at this tournament so I am just taking it a day at a time. But I am really excited to be in the final."
Serena and Venus, who are also playing doubles here, will be far from fresh for the final.
Serena played her semi-final with a tightly-bandaged left thigh as did Wozniakci while Venus needed treatment on her sore left knee in the first set of her clash against Jankovic.
With fitness worries on her mind, Serena earlier on Saturday pulled out of next weekend's Fed Cup final between the US and Italy.
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