Lucie Safarova shocks second seed Agnieszka Radwanska in 2nd round – Kremlin Cup 2011
Lucie Safarova stunned second seeded Pole Agnieszka Radwanska in the second round of the Kremlin Cup 2011. The two challengers took up the gauntlet on indoor hard courts of the Olympic Stadium in Moscow, Russia. After one hour
and fifty four minutes Czech Safarova overpowered the Pole Radwanska by surviving a mid match slip of 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 and she ended her hopes of qualifying for the year end Championships in Istanbul.
The first round of the match was commenced by Radwanska and she got off to a great start by reeling off straight three games against her adversary to place herself on the scoreboard at 3-0. It was in the fourth game that Safarova
made a return by holding her serve. Then capitalizing on a break and with another hold of serve she brought the score to a tie at 3-3.
The players held serve in the following two games and the score once more tied at 4-4. It was in the ninth game that Radwanska double faulted on her serve and endorsed a crucial break to her adversary. Safarova served for the opening
set and with a hold of serve clogged the initial round with a 6-4 victory.
Opening the second round of the match was Radwanska and both the players got off to an amazing start as they each bagged a game on their respective serves. The score progressed on even terms at kept tied at 3-3, and then 4-4. Matching
an eye for an eye, neither player wanted the other to take the lead, however in the ninth game Radwanska held her serve successfully but it was unfortunate for Safarova as she came under pressure and double faulted. Radwanska accomplished the second set with
a 6-4.
The decisive set was inaugurated by Radwanska and once again both the players successfully handled their respective service games to place themselves at 1-1 on the scoreboard. During the third and the fourth game they each bagged
a service game on alternate serves and the scoreboard once more tied at 2-2. Matching an eye for an eye the score tied for the last time at 3-3 by the end of the sixth game as the players held their service games.
It was in the fourth game that Radwanska lost control and double faulted endorsing an extremely pivotal breakpoint to Safarova, who then held her serve in the eighth game to take a lead of 5-3. Safarova was now only a game away
from victory and as the two once more bagged a game each on their respective serves, Radwanska was able to seal her victory of the set and the match.
Next up for Safarova is Russian Vera Dushevina in the third round of the event.
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