Dubai Results: Peer Continues Magical Run, Venus and Vika In to the Semis

Shahar Peer's run in Dubai this week has been nothing short of inspiring, as the Israeli has knocked out the tournament's top seed, Caroline Wozniacki, and Yanina Wickmayer. Most recently, Peer, who was denied a visa by the tournament organizers last year, an incident which caused many other players to protest, defeated the 8th seeded Li Na as the Chinese retired down 7-5, 3-0. Peer will face Venus Williams in the semis. The American took out Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-3, 6-4.

On the opposite side of the draw, Victoria Azarenka will meet Agnieszka Radwanska in the final 4. Azarenka looked very impressive in a 6-1, 6-3 out of Vera Zvonareva, while Radwanska squeaked past qualifier Regina Kulikova 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Serena Goes 3-0, Venus Drops Kuzzie

Serena Williams has jumped out of the gate at this years Year-Ending Championships in Doha quite well, as the world number 1 defeated a very tough trio of Svetlana Kuznetsova, her sister Venus and Elena Dementieva to clinch a birth in the semifinals. Venus finished off round-robin play with a 1-2 record, having lost to Serena and Dementieva and defeating Kuznetsova in 3 sets today, 6-2, 6-7 (3), 6-4. In the white group, Dinara Safina withdrew after losing to Jelena Jankovic, and Vera Zvonareva took Safina's place. Following her loss to Caroline Wozniacki, Zvonareva withdrew, allowing Agnieszka Radwanska, originally the 2nd alternate, to compete. Dementieva and Kuznetsova will play tomorrow in the maroon group, while Caroline Wozniacki will take on Jelena Jankovic. Azarenka is scheduled to play Radwanska.

The current standings are as followed (Sets won/lost are in parentheses):

White Group

Carolina Wozniacki: 2-0 (4-2)

Victoria Azarenka: 1-1 (3-2)

Jelena Jankovic: 1-1 (2-2)

Agniszka Radwanska: 0-0 (0-0)

Maroon Group

Serena Williams: 3-0 (6-1)

Elena Dementieva: 1-1 (2-3)

Venus Williams: 1-2 (4-5)

Svetlana Kuznetsova: 0-2 (1-4)