Victoria Azarenka proved too strong for Jelena Jankovic as she prevailed 6-4 6-1 in the pair's dead rubber group match at the WTA Championships in Doha.

Neither player was able to qualify for the semi-finals at the Khalifa Tennis Complex, but it was Azarenka who showed her class to clinch third place in the White Group.

Jankovic has struggled with a virus all tournament, but the Serb was the first to make a move in the opening set, breaking serve in the fourth game.

Azarenka, clearly jolted by conceding the break, immediately hit back in emphatic fashion to get back on terms, and Jankovic suffered the same fate in her next service game to slip behind.

The Belarusian was utterly clinical in wrapping up the set 6-4 with a crisp forehand winner closing it out with a flourish.

Barely had Jankovic begun the second set before she was left trailing in her opponent's wake as Azarenka broke in the first game with a stunning flurry of groundstrokes.

The eighth seed's forehand was imperious as the set continued, and she broke Jankovic yet again to assume a commanding 3-0 lead with her opponent cutting a despondent figure.

Jankovic received an encouraging ovation after eventually getting on the board with an unconvincing hold in the fifth game of the set, but only following an epic struggle at deuce.

Azarenka was undeterred by not securing the bagel which she was clearly aiming for, but the Belarusian still managed to seal a comprehensive victory in 90 minutes.

The defeat drew to a close a demoralising campaign for Jankovic, while Azarenka was at least able to end the group stage of the season-ending tournament with an uplifting win.

Dan Quarrell / Eurosport