Andy Ram and Yoni Erlich just missed out on reaching the final in their first ATP Tour tournament back together since August 2008 on Saturday, losing 6-4, 3-6, 10-6 to Britain's Colin Fleming and Ken Skupski in the semifinals of the St. Petersburg Open.
The Israelis, who have not teamed up since last year's US Open, defeated top-seeds Michal Mertinak and Frantisek Cermak to advance to the quarterfinals and reached the last four without hitting a ball after the withdrawal of Russians Igor Andreev and Mikhail Youzhny.
Ram and Erlich will play in Basel this week before Ram gets back with Max Mirnyi ahead of their participation in the World Tour Finals in London.
Serena, Venus set up all-Williams Doha final
The Williams sisters are heading for another title matchup, after Venus defeated Jelena Jankovic on Saturday and Caroline Wozniacki retired against Serena in the Sony Ericsson Championships semifinals.
Defending champion Venus advanced to her second straight Doha final after rallying for a 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 win. Wozniacki then had to quit with an apparent abdominal injury when trailing Serena 6-4, 0-1.
Wozniacki received medical treatment on her stomach muscles in the first set and decided to quit after breaking Williams to start the second.
The 19-year-old Dane has been battling injuries all week, and said Friday that her aching abdominal muscles were affecting her serve. After chasing down a drop shot and hitting a forehand winner for the break, Wozniacki told the chair umpire she couldn't continue.
Serena, who also secured the year-end No. 1 ranking this week, is back in the final of the event for the first time since 2004. She was knocked out in the group stage the last two years, but was the only player to go undefeated through the round-robin rounds this time.
The Williams sisters are also playing in the four-team doubles event at the season-ending tournament, and took on Spanish duo Nuria Llagostera Vives and Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez in the semifinals later Saturday.
AP contributed to this report
