Agnieszka Radwanska has eliminated top seed Simona Halep from the WTA Tour Finals after defeating the world No.2 7-6 (5), 6-1.
The start of the match was a mixed experience for both players with the momentum continuously fluctuating between both players. Radwanska had to endure an early onslaught as Halep began the sharpest out of the two players by breaking in the first game of the match to edge ahead 2-0. The Romanian had two break point opportunities to extend the lead to 4-1 but failed to do so as Radwanska kept within contention. The failure to extend her lead in the previous game proved costly as Radwanska broke back to level at 3-3. The Polish player triumphantly fended off five break points during the second part of the set to remain on level ground with Halep. The world No.6 is regarded as one of the best defensive players on the WTA Tour and she demonstrated this throughout the opening set, returning seemingly unreturnable shots. Radwanska had a double chance to take the set 6-4, but similar to Halep she was unable to capitalize on her break point chances as a tiebreaker beckoned.
The start of the tiebreaker was a disaster for Radwanska after a duo of unforced errors enabled Halep to nudge ahead 4-1. Halep seemed on course to take the first set until another twist in the roller-coaster set. After Radwanska retrieved one of her break points, a terribly slow serve from Halep was rightfully punished with the 26-year-old hitting a blistering return to level at 5-5. The nerves of Halep played into the hands of Radwanska as she punished another tentative serve to get her third set point. It was third time lucky as the world No.6 won an epic rally to take the set after an hour and 15 minutes.
The first set victory resulted in the collapse of Halep’s game throughout the second set. Radwanska was handed an early break after an error-stricken service game from the world No.2 in the third game. Radwanska’s bitter determination and masterful defensive play during the first set destroyed Halep on the court. The Polish player broke the Romanian three consecutive times in the second set as Halep could only win one point in her three service games. Radwanska sealed the match after a wild forehand from the top seed sailed out of the court.
The biggest success for Radwanska in the match was her management of the break points. Throughout the match she save 8/9 break points and converted 4/8. In addition, she also produced 3 aces, 30 winners and 26 unforced errors.
The victory for Radwanska is her first this week and has guaranteed Maria Sharapova a place in the semifinals of the tournament. Radwanska could also progress to the last four if Flavia Pennetta loses in straight sets to Sharapova.
