(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-11-10 21:13

Gruelling year

"I've been sick for a couple of days and I'm having so much trouble breathing, I'm just suffering on the court and I can't play my game," said the 22-year-old who has endured a gruelling year in which she compiled 72 victories from 97 matches.

Russian Maria Sharapova overwhelmed Ana Ivanovic of Serbia 6-1 and 6-2 in her final round-robin match at the WTA Championships to set up a semi-final showdown against compatriot Anna Chakvetadze. [Xinhua]

The retirement brought a premature end to a disappointing tournament for both players.

Jankovic went home without a win after losing to Henin and Chakvetadze in her previous matches, while Bartoli was deprived of a proper victory having been called in as a late replacement for the injured Serena Williams.

The Frenchwoman was demolished 6-0 6-0 by Henin in her opening match on Thursday just hours after being told she would have to step into the tournament.

"It has been a very strange week for me," said Bartoli. "I heard at 1.15 in the morning that I would have to play the world number one Justine Henin and yesterday I got beat really badly.

"So my wish was to have fun and play a little better in the last match of the year and I'm really sorry for Jelena that it ending up like that."

Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova beat world number two Svetlana Kuznetsova 7-6 6-0 in a consolation match between the two eliminated players in Friday's late match.

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