Agnieszka Radwanska eases into semis in the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix
Polish Agnieszka Radwanska dumped German wild card Kristina Barrois in straight sets to advance into the semi-finals of the 2011 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix on Thursday.
Ranked 14th in the WTA Premier rankings, Radwanska displayed tremendous skills to overpower the wild card in two hours at Porsche Arena. She registered a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Barrois on their first meeting and took
the lead in their head-to-head series by 1-0.
The Polish is in good shape this season as she made quarter-final berth at Melbourne Grand Slam, Dubai and Miami. In this WTA Premier event, she reached a step higher and is aiming for her maiden title this season.
The 22-year-old held her opening serve spectacularly and smacked three aces in the opening set. She exchanged an early break and held her remaining serves through her awesome agility. Radwanska had a much better first serve share
of 67 percent as compared to the German’s 58 percent and registered an impressive 73 percent win on it. She then clinched the set by breaking in the last game with a 7-5 score line.
The Polish struggled in the start of the second set and she was trailing 1-3 when she re-formed to get back on track. Radwanska went on savage mode and reeled off next five games in a row to seal the set with a 6-3 win. She registered
a similar first serve share of 68 percent and earned an amazing 74 percent win on it. Though Radwanska failed to save the only breakpoint she faced, the Polish converted both breakpoint opportunities to her advantage.
"It's always tough to play here, not just because it's my first tournament on clay but also the draw is always really strong," Radwanska said. "I'm happy with my performance. Kristina was tough on clay, slicing and hitting lots
of topspin - I was in trouble in both sets. I just tried to serve well and be aggressive."
The Polish number one, who is now into her first WTA semi-final since San Diego last summer, will next face world number one Caroline Wozniacki. The Dane reached this spot after slaying German Andrea Petkovic in ninety-four minutes
with a breadstick. She won last twelve games out of thirteen played to clinch the match with a 6-4, 6-1 score line.
It would be a worthwhile duel to watch since both are meeting for the first time on clay courts. Wozniacki leads Radwanska 3-1 in their head-to-head series.
Another German wild card was ousted later in the day. Julia Georges downed her fellow German by 6-4, 6-4 in ninety-three minutes to setup a semi-final match against fifth seeded Australian Samantha Stosur.
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