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Radwanska triumphs over Konta in Beijing

Ros Satar
Tennis

 

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By Ros Satar

  • Agnieszka Radwanska [3] def. Johanna Konta [11] 6-4 6-2
  • Johanna Konta will be inside the Top 10 when the new ratings come out on Monday, and moves to eighth in the Race to Singapore
  • Radwanska joins Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova & Victoria Azarenka as active players with three or more Premier Mandatory titles
BEIJING, CHINA – Agnieszka Radwanska continued her build up to her WTA Finals defence, claiming her second China Open title over Johanna Konta, 6-4 6-2.

 

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Radwanska continued her dominant form over the week – she had not dropped a set all the way to the gilded-ware, as she imposed herself on the rising Brit. She struck early with a break before the first trip back to the chairs, and looked to have the Brit on the ropes breaking once more for a 52 lead.

But never count Konta out – she worked her way back in to the match in the same style as she displayed earlier in the tournament, breaking Radwanska straight back and consolidating to get the deficit down, but could not convert on a break point to get things back on serve, with Radwanska holding on for the set.

The Pole then just twisted the knot as experience lent a hand, pressuring Konta on her first three service games, and rewarded with two breaks for a commanding lead. Konta held her resolve to push her presence on the score-board up a notch, but Radwanska could not be stopped on her way to another China Open title.

Radwanska, who is locked in for the WTA Finals at Singapore said on court (as reported by WTATennis.com) said: “Every title means a lot, but especially here when you play against the best players in the world, in one of the biggest tournaments. It’s top players from the first round and I’ve been playing my best tennis all week so of course I’m very happy to win this tournament again, and this trophy is going to stay in a very special place.”

Meanwhile for Konta it has been a culmination of a lot of years of hard work, as she is always at pains to remind those who seem to feel she has arrived from nowhere. With Radwanska welcoming her to the Top 10 in her winner’s speech, adding that she deserved it, Konta herself had time to reflect on her achievements.

“It’s pretty cool! I’m very pleased with my progress over the past few years and hopefully many more places to climb,” she said on court. “I’m just working hard towards playing matches like these, against players like Agnieszka.”

It is not over yet for the Brit – she heads to Hong Kong to try and solidify her position in the Top Eight and will open her campaign against fellow Brit Naomi Broady, while Radwanska will attempt to defend her title in Tianjin.

But the real battle will be focussed on Linz where Garbiñe Muguruza, Carla Suárez Navarro, Dominika Cibulkova and Madison Keys all vie for the final nod.

Click to keep up to date with all the results from next week’s tournaments.

 

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