Zvonareva sets up final with Marcinko

Ageing, but refusing to give up, former world No. 2 Vera Zvonareva will have a dual challenge before her as she contests in the singles and doubles finals on the final day of the 28th Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge at the Habtoor Grand Resort, on Sunday.

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Now 41, Zvonareva will face recently turned 20-year-old Petra Marcinko - champion at the inaugural Fujairah W75 Championships last Sunday - and later team up with countrywoman Rada Zolotareva to take on the Thai-Chinese combination of Xinyu Gao and Manachaya Sawangkaew for the doubles crown.

The biggest cheer was arguably reserved for the veteran player from Russia as she dug in deep for a daunting marathon 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-4 win against British teenager and 2024 US Open girls champion Mika Stojsavljevic.

The singles match that lasted an amazing three hours and nine minutes of intense action did not deter Zvonareva as she returned a little more than an hour later to pair up with Zolotareva and win 3-6, 7-5, 10-3 against the Indian duo of Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty and Ankita Raina.