The stakes are different for each of the tennis players in the 2008 Sony Ericsson Championships in Doha.  Everyone who qualified has had a very strong year, but the results of this final tennis tournament of the year matter in different ways for each of them.  So what’s at stake for each of the players?

Jelena Jankovic – She’s secured the Number One ranking for 2008, but still has yet to win a “major” i.e. Grand Slam title, Olympic Gold Medal, etc.  A win in Doha would silence those who say she doesn’t deserve the Number One ranking.

Dinara Safina -  Since May, when she beat Justine Henin, Safina has won four tournaments and reached the finals at the French Open and semis at the U.S. Open and the Olympics.  Now all she needs is a major title to cement her place near the very top of the women’s game.

Serena Williams – She’s played one match since the U.S. Open in early September, but Serena has proven she can win championships without much tournament prep.  Having won the 2008 U.S. Open, been Number One again and having beaten Jankovic two of the three times they’ve played in 2008, Serena has re-established herself at the very top of the game.  Her competitive nature still wants more major titles…

Ana Ivanovic – She finally won a tournament again a couple weeks ago after a rough patch since winning the 2008 French Open and ascending to Number One.  She needs another big win… Doha would be a sweet end to her season.

Elena Dementieva – She made her career by winning the Gold Medal at the Beijing Olympics, but she’s been so close to other major titles that winning in Doha would confirm that “she has the stuff” to win (more) majors…

Svetlana Kuznetsova – She has struggled in majors and in finals the past year or so and (desperately) needs a big tournament win for her own confidence going into the off-season and 2009…

Venus Williams – She has had a very strong year and definitely played well enough at times in 2008 to win a major that’s not on the grass courts of Wimbledon… she doesn’t “need” this title, but it would leave her smiling through Christmas!

Vera Zvonareva – She’s quietly had a very strong year winning two titles and over 60 matches, but not fared well in the majors.  A win here might help her to establish herself as a fixture in the top ten.  She has the game to warrant it… and the question has only been her unpredictable emotions.