Poland's Radwańska beats Pliskova and advances to Tokyo semis
PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge
25.09.2015 12:31
Agnieszka Radwańska defeated Czech challenger Karolina Pliskova in straight sets in Tokyo on Friday 7-5, 6-2, winning a place in the semi-finals of the Toray Pan Pacific Open.
Agnieszka Radwańska: wikipedia commons/Christian Mesiano
On paper, Thursday's should not have been a walkover for the Polish player, with Pliskova currently holding the edge over Radwańska in the WTA rankings (the Czech star is rated No.11 and Radwańska No.13).
During the first set, the Pole took an early lead before faltering, but she ultimately pulled through, winning 7-5.
Radwańska didn't look back in the second set, with Pliskova only managing to take two games.
“We recently played on grass so I really knew what to expect - great power, great serve. I also saw her playing here so I knew she was playing really great tennis,” Radwanska said after wrapping up the match.
“Actually my hands are a bit sore returning those 190km serves, but I'm good and ready for the next one.”
She will now face either Dominika Cibulkova (WTA No.48) or Anna Ivanovic (WTA No.12).
Radwańska won the Toray Pan Pacific Open in 2011, and was runner-up in 2012. (nh/rk)