Dementieva, Ljubicic Secure Final Year-end Championship Berths

Ferrer, who earlier this week showed his indoor acumen with a win over Tommy Haas, held two match points against Roddick but couldn't close the deal.

"I got out there and it was just stiff," said Roddick who suffered from a sore back during the match. "It got progressively worse the more I moved. I just didn't feel real comfortable for the whole match."

Roddick said his participation in the Saturday semifinals is in doubt.

"I wish I could give you a definite answer," Roddick said. "If I had to play in an hour, I wouldn't be able to but a lot can be done from now until then."

Also a winner was No. 8 seed Radek Stepanek who ousted shoulder-ailing No. 3 seed Nikolay Davydenko in straight sets.

On tap for Saturday in Paris are (1) Roddick vs. (6) Ljubicic, and (8) Stepanek vs. Berdych, and in the doubles Hrbaty/Johansson vs. (4) Knowles/Nestor, and (3) Black/Ullyett vs. (2) Bryan/Bryan.

Dementieva Clinches Final Champs Spot at Philadelphia

No. 4 seed Elena Dementieva recovered from a shaky start to defeat unseeded Czech Kveta Peschke Friday at the WTA stop in Philadelphia, securing the final berth for the WTA Championships with a 4-6, 6-0, 6-3 win.

"I was just so happy," Dementieva said. "I was just trying to play very aggressive and go for the winner. Now, I know that I'm in L.A. and I'm really happy about it."

Also into the semifinals were WTA Championship qualifiers Amelie Mauresmo (d. Washington) and Nadia Petrova (d. Sucha), and racing teen Nicole Vaidisova who recorded her 18th consecutive win with a victory over Lisa Raymond in straight sets.

Matched in the Saturday semifinals are (6) Petrova vs. (4) Dementieva in an all-Russian, and (3) Mauresmo vs. (7) Vaidisova.

Dechy Rebounds for Semi Berth at WTA Quebec City

Top-seeded Nathalie Dechy rebounded from a first-set loss Friday at the WTA stop in Quebec City, defeating Canadian wildcard Stephanie Dubois 2-6, 6-0, 6-0 to advance into the semifinals.

Also into the semis were (3) Marion Bartoli (d. Perry, bagel in the first), (6) Amy Frazier (d. Nagyova), and (8) Sofia Arvidsson (d. Vesnina 6-1 in the third).

Lining up for the Saturday semifinals are (3) Bartoli vs. (8) Arvidsson, and (1) Dechy vs. (6) Frazier.

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