DOHA, Qatar (AP) Vera Zvonareva overcame Victoria Azarenka 7-6 (4), 6-4 to claim her second win at the WTA Championships and move closer to the semifinals.
The No. 2-ranked Russian also kept alive her slim hopes of finishing the year as the top-ranked player. However, a win for Caroline Wozniacki on Wednesday would secure the 20-year-old Dane at the No. 1 spot.
Zvonareva recovered from 5-4 down in the first set, winning the tiebreaker with the help of an ace and several other big serves.
In the second set, she was behind 3-1 before winning 6-4 against a visibly frustrated Azarenka.
Zvonareva must win her last match in the group stage and make it to the final if she is to have any chance of toppling Wozniacki, who plays Sam Stosur on Wednesday.