Radwanska reaches Beijing final, returns to top ten

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 11:47

After a barrage of upsets throughout the week, the semi-finals of the women’s event at the China Open followed the form book, with Svetlana Kuznetsova and a resurgent Agnieszka Radwanska reaching Sunday’s final.

Victory for Radwanska, who came back from early breaks to beat Marion Bartoli 6-4 6-3, will return the Pole to the world’s top ten on Monday. The 20-year-old has a career-high ranking of No.9 in the world.

Kuznetsova has a 5-3 record over Radwanska but after the Russian won their first three meetings, Radwanska’s three wins have come in their last five meetings and she is optimistic of her chances in the final.

“We’ve played before and I’ve had some wins and some losses,” said Radwanska. “It’s always good to play against her. She’s a great player and I’ll try my best.”

Kuznetsova eased to her semiifinal victory against fellow Russian Nadia Petrova, breaking five times as she won 6-1 6-3.

After comfortably taking the first set, Kuznetsova saw Petrova hit back early in the second as she broke early in the second.

But after that the 24-year-old world No.6 was rarely troubled and Petrova only pushed her to deuce once in eight service games.

Kuznetsova has reached the final of the Beijing event on her three previous appearances at the China Open, finishing runner-up in 2004 and 2007 and winning in 2006.

The French Open champion hopes to make up for the heartbreak of defeat to Jelena Jankovic last time out with victory over Radwanska.

“The level was very high and it was tough to beat Nadia Petrova,” Kuznetsova told the WTA Tour Web site.

“I’ll keep trying to play my best. I will be the favorite and I hope I’m going to win, but you never know.”

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