Tennis: Hit and Myskina

THE battle for the world No.1 crown took another twist when Russia's Anastasia Myskina upset top-seeded Lindsay Davenport 7-6, 6- 4 at the WTA Championships in Los Angeles.

Davenport must now beat fellow American Serena Williams in their round-robin Red Group tie if she is to seal a spot in the last four of this eight-woman season ending event.

Amelie Mauresmo and Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova both qualified for the semis out of the Black Group.

Mauresmo, the No.2 seed, hammered US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-3 6-2 while Russian Sharapova out-punched Vera Zvonareva 6-4 7-5.

If Davenport fails to make the last four and Mauresmo reaches the final, Davenport could lose the No.1 ranking to the Frenchwoman.

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