Elena Dementieva lost 4-6, 2-6 to Italy's Francesca Schiavone at the WTA Championships in Doha, Qatar, on Friday before stunning the crowd by announcing her retirement from tennis.

In the White Group, Vera Zvonareva beat Kim Clijsters 6-4, 7-5 while Victoria Azarenka beat Jelena Jankovic 6-4, 6-1 to round out the group stage of competition.

The 29-year-old Dementieva, making her 10th appearance at the prestigious tournament, blinked away tears as she thanked her fans around the world and paid tribute to her mother Vera for her support throughout her career.

"I would like to thank all the people around the world for supporting me," the Russian told the crowd as her mother and fellow competitors wiped away tears at the Khalifa Tennis Complex in the Qatari capital.

"I'm so emotional and it's so hard to say goodbye."

Dementieva won 16 Tour titles and finished runner-up at the 2004 French and US Opens, reaching a career-high of third in the world rankings in 2009 and earning more than US$14 million.

Her rivals lined up to pay tribute.

"She has been one of the players I grew up with playing in juniors. It's nice to see her looking forward to something new in her life," Clijsters said, holding back tears. "She has been one of the most professional players, one of the nicest girls on the court."

Zvonareva thanked Dementieva for her contribution to sport back home. "Russia is proud of you," said Zvonareva. "You have done so much not only for Russian tennis but for sport in Russia. You have been an inspiration, a role model for kids growing up."

Stacy Allaster, the chairman and chief executive officer of the WTA, said Dementieva would be missed, and had been "a champion and consummate professional."

Dementieva said she made the decision to retire at the start of the season and that at 29 she had to explore new avenues.

"I think I'm ready for the big change in my life," she said, adding that she would continue to study at university in Moscow.

Different life

"It's going to be a completely different life for me. Tennis has been such a big part of my life and always will be."

A proud competitor for Russia in the Fed Cup and at the Olympic Games, Dementieva said winning the gold medal in Beijing was the pinnacle of her career.

"I'm sure I'm going to remember myself as Olympic champion. That's the best thing that could ever happen in my career," she said. "That was the biggest goal and I'm so proud of that moment."

Dementieva and Schiavone had already been eliminated from the Maroon Group after Caroline Wozniacki and Samantha Stosur sealed semifinal spots a day earlier, but with year-end ranking points and US$100,000 on offer for the win neither player lacked motivation.

French Open champion Schiavone, making her singles debut at the US$4.55 million season-ending tournament, suffered an early break but hit back immediately and moved into a 4-2 lead.

Dementieva broke in the seventh and then leveled at 4-4 but the 30-year-old Schiavone regained the momentum and skipped with delight after sealing the set 6-4.

The Italian upped the tempo in the second set and quickly got the measure of Dementieva's serve and wrapped it up 6-2.

World No. 2 Zvonareva maintained her perfect record in the White Group with an impressive straight sets victory over Belgian Clijsters.

The Russian was the only player to go through the group stage unbeaten and was playing Wozniacki in the semifinals yesterday. Clijsters was playing Stosur for a place in the final.

Zvonareva said Wozniacki would present a tough challenge.

"Caroline is a great player. She's No. 1 in the world," the Russian added. "I know if I play my best tennis I can beat anyone on the other side of the net. But I know it's not easy to produce your best tennis every day."