Returning to the New Haven Open to defend her title, Agnieszka Radwanska believes she is in a better place than at the start of the year.
The world No.10 has endured a lacklustre season so far. Since reaching the final at the Sydney International in January, she has only managed to win back-to-back matches in three out of 11 tournaments. Besides her patchy play, Radwanska has also had to contend with a foot injury. It has been a far from perfect year so far, but 28-year-old is sees light at the end of the tunnel.
“For sure, I’m feeling much better than the beginning of the year,” Radwanska said on Tuesday. “I’m not struggling with my health anymore. I feel stronger, I feel better, more confident on the court as well. That is helping.”
Glimmers of Radwanska’s return to the top of her form were demonstrated during her second round win over Eugenie Bouchard in New Haven. In what was a tough battle, the Pole prevailed 6-3, 7-5, after 105 minutes of play. During the encounter, Radwanska was the more consistent player compared to the Canadian, who produced a costly 50 unforced errors.
“I expected this kind of match,” the top seed explained. “I think she seems now better than a few months ago and playing more consistent. Good first match. I didn’t expect an easy match, that’s for sure. It was a nice challenge for me for the first match.”
Seeking her first title of 2017, Radwanska is hoping for lightning to strike twice. Last year she clinched the New Haven trophy before going on to win the Beijing Open. Unlike the other top 10 players, Radwanska explained that she has elected to play a tournament a week before the US Open because it ‘is good preparation’ for her.
“I think that it is great preparation before New York. There are the same courts and the same conditions.” She told wtatennis.com earlier in the week. “The draw is always very strong, so you are playing good players from the beginning of the tournament. It’s not easy, but it always pushes you to 100%.”
Radwanska will play China’s Peng Shuai in the quarter-finals of New Haven on Thursday.
