11/07/2008 - Doha, Qatar (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Russian Vera Zvonareva upset world No. 1 Jelena Jankovic to win her round-robin group, while Serena Williams pulled out here on Friday, giving two-time major runner-up Elena Dementieva a walkover into Saturday's semifinals at the season-ending $4.55 million Sony Ericsson Championships.
The eighth-seeded Olympic bronze medalist Zvonareva went a perfect 3-0 in this week's four-woman White Group, including a big 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 come-from-behind victory over the U.S. Open runner-up Jankovic on Day 4 at Khalifa Tennis Complex. Jankovic, who went 2-1 in round-robin play and will finish this year as the No. 1 player in the world, will also compete in Saturday's semis.
Zvonareva's final four opponent will be fifth-seeded fellow Russian Elena Dementieva, while Jankovic will take on seventh-seeded American Venus Williams, who was a flawless 3-0 in capturing this week's four-player Maroon Group.
The Olympic gold medalist Dementieva was 1-1 in Maroon Group round-robin action and was scheduled to meet a third-seeded Serena, who was also 1-1, here on Friday with a semifinal berth on the line, but the U.S. Open champion from the United States pulled out, citing a stomach muscle injury. The nine-time major champion Serena lost to her big sister and fellow former world No. 1 Venus, 7-5, 1-6, 0-6, here on Thursday.
The 27-year-old Serena was the only former Championships titlist (2001) in this year's field and was the runner-up in 2002 and 2004.
The Maroon Group was rounded out this week by 0-3 Dinara Safina, the Russian third seed that had runner-up finishes at the French Open and Olympic Games this year.
On Saturday, Jankovic and the reigning two-time Wimbledon titlist and seven- time major champion Venus will meet for a ninth time, with the Serb holding a 5-3 lifetime advantage, including a 2-0 record this year. The two stars have never met at the season-ending Championships.
Dementieva and Zvonareva will do battle for a sixth time, with Dementieva leading their all-time series 4-1. Dementieva is 2-1 this year, with the wins coming at the French Open and the semifinals at the Olympics.
The winner of this week's event will collect $1.34 million.
<< Streaking Ducks welcome Stars to Anaheim
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Anaheim Ducks will try to keep their hot streak going
tonight, as they welcome the rival Dallas Stars for a Pacific Division battle
at the Honda Center.
The Ducks have been excellent since losing their first four games
<< Miller, Sabres try for 3rd straight shutout
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ryan Miller will take aim at his third consecutive shutout,
as he backstops the Buffalo Sabres in a home contest against the Atlanta
Thrashers tonight at HSBC Arena.
Miller stopped 29 shots in a 5-0 win over visiting Washi
<< Jags LB Peterson returns to team
Jacksonville, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Mike
Peterson returned to the team on Friday after being sent home earlier in the
week by head coach Jack Del Rio.
Peterson and Del Rio met Friday morning. There
<< Hawkins staying in Houston
Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Houston Astros have apparently come to
terms on a one-year deal with right-handed reliever LaTroy Hawkins.
The Houston Chronicle is reporting that the deal will likely be announced
sometime on Fri
Top-ranked Tide tangle with Tigers >>
Baton Rouge, LA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The nation's top-ranked team travels to
Baton Rouge this weekend, as the Alabama Crimson Tide attempts to remain
undefeated in an SEC clash with 15th-ranked LSU.
Alabama is fresh off its first shutout since
Roma hopes to carry CL success into league play >>
Bologna, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Two of the bottom four teams in Serie A will
get together at Renato Dall'Ara on Saturday, and while it should come as no
surprise that Bologna is one of those teams, it certainly raises a few
eyebrow
PSV returns to league after thumping in CL >>
Nijmegen, Netherlands (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - PSV Eindhoven returns to Eredivisie
play on Saturday when the club travels to NEC, but it comes on the heels of a
deflating 3-0 loss to Marseille in the Champions League that has left Huub
Stevens
Three Towson men's basketball players suspended >>
Towson, MD (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Towson University announced Friday that men's
basketball coach Pat Kennedy has suspended three players for violating team
policies.
Forward Tony Durant will miss the team's first game against Navy on Nov
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Brandon Roy Favorite to Win 2007 NBA Rookie of the Year
Portland TrailBlazer’s guard, Brandon Roy, is MySportsbook.com’s overwhelming favorite to win the NBA Rookie of the Year odds.
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