Triumphs to tears: Assessing the 2009 WTA stars

...that distinction goes not to the hapless Safina but to Williams, the best in the game. Elena Dementieva It may seem harsh to offer a negative assessment of a season during which Dementieva won...

Serena right where she belongs

...in, week out. Svetlana Kuznetsova: Want to be No. 1, Sveta? "No, but thanks for asking!" Elena Dementieva: It's funny how someone who seems like a no-nonsense player with great athletic gifts...

Serena reaches final; Venus awaits

Serena Williams will play big sister Venus in the final of the Sony Ericsson Championships.

Venus advances with Dementieva loss

Venus Williams has reached the semifinals of the Sony Ericsson Championships with a little help from Svetlana Kuznetsova, whose 6-3, 6-2 victory over Elena Dementieva secured the American's passage into the knockout round.

Williams sisters, Wozniacki win

Serena Williams clinched a spot in the semifinals of the WTA Sony Ericsson Championships after beating Elena Dementieva 6-2, 6-4 for her third straight win in the group phase.

Where does Safina go from here?

For those still interested in who would finish the year as women's No. 1, well, you got your answer earlier than expected in Doha. Yes, Serena Willia...

Wozniacki to play at Sydney

Caroline Wozniacki has been confirmed as the fourth top 10 women's player to use the Sydney International tournament as final preparation for next year's Australian Open.

Time running out for slumping Venus

...then, can't she win a match these days? If you watched Williams' dismal performance against Elena Dementieva on Tuesday at the season-ending championships in Doha, Qatar, you'd have some idea. Physically...

Venus Williams of the US returns the ball to Russia's Elena Dementieva during their WTA Tour Championships tennis match in Doha on October 27, 2009. AFP PHOTO/KARIM...

Serena wins, Venus loses

Victoria Azarenka has defeated Jelena Jankovic in the WTA Tour's season-ending Sony Ericsson Championships in the first round-robin group match.

DOHA, QATAR - OCTOBER 25: (L-R) Serena Williams of United States, Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia, Elena Dementieva of Russia, Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, Dinara Safina of Russia, Jelena Jankovic of Serbia, Caroline Wozniacki...

Does Clijsters deserve exemption into year-ender?

...Ericsson Championships field is composed of the top eight 2009 point winners: Dinara Safina, Serena Williams, Elena Dementieva, Caroline Wozniacki, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Victoria Azarenka Venus Williams and Jelena Jankovic. If a Grand Slam champion...

Year-end title critical for Safina -- and her reputation

...growing resume of a young talent and a definite step toward legitimacy as a top player. Elena Dementieva She's capable of anything, including nothing, and ranks as the best active woman player not...

Serena, Safina battle for No. 1 in Doha

Wondering what's at stake at the year-end championships in Doha, Qatar? How about the razor-thin five-point margin in the rankings that separates Serena Williams from Dinara Safina.

Jankovic in WTA Championships

elena Jankovic has qualified for next week's season-ending WTA Championships after top-seeded Vera Zvonareva lost to qualifier Tsvetana Pironkova 6-0, 6-2 in the second round of the Kremlin Cup.