Jelena Jankovic Struggles In Doha

Jelena Jankovic's year end championship in Doha didn't get off to a good start yesterday as she slumped to a 6-3 6-0 loss at the hands of Vera Zvonareva.

The Serb has been struggling with sinus problems in the last couple of weeks and she appeared to struggle from the beginning of the match.

Jankovic has been struggling for form in the second half of the season and Zvonareva took full advantage of the difficulties that her opponent was facing.

She broke early in the opening set and continued to pressure the Jankovic serve. And while the Serb did fight of more break points in the set her defences did falter and the Russian broke for a second time to seal the opener.

Into the second and the fight back looked like a slim possibility as Zvonerava faced a break point in the opening game.

But the threat was quickly snuffed out and it was all one way traffic from there as Zvonareva dominated and Jankovic wilted.

Speaking to the BBC after the match she said: " I'm still not 100% but I'll try my best.

"I had difficulty breathing during the match, felt dizzy and tingling and didn't have any power. I finished the match but had a really hard time. There were moments when I felt I was going to give up."

Kim Clijsters and Victoria Azarenka are the other two players in the White Group and they get their campaigns under way today.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw