Henin, Sharapova Lead Way Into Madrid Tennis Championships Semifinals

The names of the four women who will contest the 2007 Sony Ericsson Championships singles semifinals are already known, with one day of round robin play remaining. Anna Chakvetadze, Justine Henin, Ana Ivanovic and Maria Sharapova are through to the final four, although who plays who is not yet clear.

While a dominant world No.1 and defending champion, Belgium's Henin, was a clear-cut Yellow Group leader (with Chakvetadze in second place), Friday's clash between Ivanovic and Sharapova will determine who finishes first in the Red Group. The loser of that match will meet Henin in the semifinals, while the winner plays Chakvetadze. Although the remaining two matches have no impact on the semifinal line-up both of them will determine the third and fourth placements in each Group (and thus ranking point and prize money payments).

Jelena Jankovic and Marion Bartoli go head-to-head in the Yellow Group and Svetlana Kuznetsova takes on Daniela Hantuchova in the Red Group. Serena Williams, who pulled out of the tournament with a left knee injury, will receive 35 ranking points and $33,333 for playing one of her three scheduled round robin matches. Bartoli, who replaced Williams, will receive 70 or 150 ranking points, and $66,667 or $96,667, depending on her placement in the Yellow Group.

RANKING PROJECTIONS
Justine Henin will remain at No.1 regardless of her results this week, ensuring her third year-end No.1 and second in succession.

Svetlana Kuznetsova will remain at No.2 unless Ana Ivanovic wins the title; Ivanovic will overtake current No.3 Jelena Jankovic if she reaches the final but remain at No.4 if she loses in Saturday's semifinals.

Current No.7 Anna Chakvetadze will return to the Top 5 at No.5 (pushing Serena Williams down on spot) unless Maria Sharapova wins the title, which case the 2004 Sony Ericsson Championships will rise one spot to No.5. (WTA)