Flavia Pennetta has boosted her chances of grabbing one more title before she retires after fighting her way past world No.6 Agnieszka Radwanska 7-6 (5), 6-4 in the WTA Finals in Singapore.
The US Open champion made a sluggish start to the match as Radwanska impressively won 12 out of the first 15 points of the match to lead 3-0. After going down early Pennetta responded by winning three straight games as well. The set was a roller-coaster encounter with a series of breaks (two for each player). The Italian was in danger of dropping the first set as Radwanska broke for an opportunity to serve it out, but the Polish player was unable to take advantage of it as Pennetta broke back. Pennetta played Gutsy tennis throughout the opening set, refusing Radwanska to run away with the match. The efforts invested by the US Open champion paid off as she claimed the tiebreaker 7-5.
Unlike the opening set, proceedings at the start of the second set started off level-pegging with no breaks of service occurring in six games. Pennetta called a medical time out in the early part of the set to treat a blister on her left foot. The blister didn’t appear too troublesome as the Italian made a decisive strike in the seventh game. Displaying some inspired tennis, Pennetta produced some stunning shots to open up a 40-0 lead against Radwanska’s service. After failing to convert two of her break points, it was third time lucky after a blistering forehand enabled the 33-year-old to move ahead 4-3.
The pressure applied on to Radwanska by the Italian was starting to show. Pennetta had two separate chances to break Radwanska for the fourth time of the match to seal the victory. She was, however unsuccessful as Radwanska produced a strong serve down the line to save one and then a tight forehand into the net from Pennetta allowed Radwanska to move to 4-5. Despite the valiant efforts of the Polish player, it wasn’t enough to tame Pennetta, who was producing shot-making that was reminiscent of her US Open final clash against Roberta Vinci. After an hour and forty-two minutes, the world No.8 took the victory with a backhand down the line.
Big fist pump & smile from @Flavia_Pennetta 💪😀 It’s her 1st career #WTAFinals win! https://t.co/9T5uNdrJ2a
— WTA (@WTA) October 27, 2015
Pennetta’s winner count was almost twice the number of her opponents (37-20). In addition the Italian also won 74% of her first service points, 3/8 break points and 15/22 points at the net.
The victory today means that Radwanska could be eliminated from the competition if Simona Halep wins her match today after two consecutive defeats (the first was against Halep). Out of her six previous appearances in the WTA Finals, she has failed to progress beyond the round robin stage in four of them.
Following her crucial win, which has now revived her Singapore chances, Pennetta praised her rival as she gave her assessment of how she played the match.
“I was trying to be focused, really aggressive and hit the ball hard. She (Radwanska) played unbelievable and she makes you run around the court for an hour”. Said Pennetta.
“I’m really happy with the way I played today”.
On Thursday Pennetta and Maria Sharapova will battle against each other for the second place spot in the group.
