Top seed Agnieszka Radwanska started her 2016 with a title win at the Shenzhen Open in China on Saturday. She defeated unseeded Alison Riske in straight sets 6-3, 6-2 in 76 minutes. This was Radwanska’s 18th WTA title. She will move one spot to four in the world in the WTA rankings next week. Radwanska secured the fourth seed in Australian Open with her win yesterday.
Radwanska Benefits From Riske’s Errors
The two last met in the round of 64 at Indian Wells last year with Radwanska winning it in straight sets. In the first set, tied at 1-1, Radwanska got into early trouble as Riske hit a backhand winner to go up 30-40. The American didn’t waste any time painting the lines like she did in her match against Timea Babos. But the Pole didn’t panic. After she had brought it back to deuce, Radwanska hit two consecutive winners including an ace to hold.
Both players were patient in the set. They played long rallies that seemed to favor Radwanska in the end. Even though Riske tried to make her run and play defense, Radwanska kept up. She went toe-to-toe with Riske during rallies, waiting for her to make an error since the American liked to hit the lines that were always risky. Compared to yesterday, Riske wasn’t that sharp. On serve with the American down 3-4, she hit three unforced errors to give Radwanska two break points. After saving one, the American made another unforced to put the top seed player up a break.
In the next game with Radwanska serving for the set, the American didn’t make it easy for the Pole to close it out. On set point down, Riske hit a backhand winner to force deuce. But Riske hit back-to-back unforced errors as Radwanska took the first set in less than 39 minutes. Radwanska served okay with 68 percent of her first serves were in while Riske served underwhelmingly with only 56 percent. The American also didn’t return well. She tried shortening rallies by going for the lines, but she wasn’t hitting them cleanly, missing them often. It ledd to plenty of unforced errors that helped Radwanska win the set.
Radwanska Cruises Through Second Set
The 26-year-old Radwanska never dropped a set in her previous matches in the tournament. In the second set, Riske found herself in trouble early after she hit three consecutive errors to give Radwanska two break points. However, she saved both with a forehand winner and a volley. The American would save another break point before she hit a drop shot that Radwanska couldn’t get to hold.
Two games later, Riske was the one with a break point. She hit a forehand winner to get the advantage. But it didn’t last long as Radwanska hit two winners and served an ace to hold. The Pole showed why she was a top player in the sport as she found a way to dig herself out in critical situations. Radwanska kept her emotions intact. In the next game, it was Radwanska’s turn to apply the pressure. Tied 30-30, Radwanska hit a forehand winner to get a break point. After Riske had missed her first serve, the Polish player took the opportunity to attack the second serve and hit a backhand return winner down the line to get the break.
Radwanska would break Riske’s next service game to go up 5-2. With Radwanska serving for the match, Riske, just like in the first set, didn’t make it easy for the Pole to get her 18th WTA title. She forced deuce to put pressure on Radwanska. However, the American hit two unforced errors, both on Radwanska’s second serve.
The Pole served better in the second set with 74 percent of her firsts serves were in. She added six aces to the three she hit in the first. Riske didn’t return well in the set. She barely improved her first serve statistics. Radwanska won critical points in the set by attacking Riske’s weak second serve.
Radwanska On Riske And Shenzhen
Radwanska praised Riske after the match. "I think Alison was really playing solid tennis today," Radwanska said. "She has a very powerful game from the baseline - I was really struggling from the baseline. I was really in a lot of trouble there."
"But my serve really helped me today. Also in the deciding points I was a little bit better, and I think that's why the score was the way it was - it made it look easier than the actual match was."
The Pole also talked about her time in Shenzhen, China and her plans on coming back. "It was my first time here, but I actually didn't have much time to see the city. I came here pretty late. Each night I was enjoying different dinners, but didn't have much time to enjoy the city," she said. "So I think because of that, I really have to come back here to Shenzhen!"
What’s Next For Radwanska?
The new world number four has won 22 of her last 26 matches spanning back to last year’s US Open. Radwanska won three titles last year including the WTA Finals. She is scheduled to play in Sydney next week before going to Melbourne for the Australian Open.
"It's the beginning of the year, so we're all fresh compared to the end of the year. I'm feeling good," Radwanska commented. "Also I have a bye [in Sydney], so I'll have a couple of days off right now."