Agnieszka Radwanska produced an inspired comeback to beat Simona Halep 3-6 6-3 6-2 in the third round of the Miami Open.
It was the Pole’s first win over a top ten player since October 2016 and only the second time she had beaten a world No.1.
Radwanska earned victory by finding her best tennis when she needed it most. After falling a set behind, she became more aggressive and began to construct points in the way she is known for.
The improvements the Pole made enabled her to out-play Halep from the back of the court in the second and third sets and she was understandably delighted with her big win.
“I’m so happy,” said Radwanska in her on-court interview. “She’s been playing great tennis in the last couple of months. A win like this always makes you so happy so I’m very glad I could win that third set.”
Halep got the better of the early rallies in the match and, despite losing her own serve in game three, broke Radwanska twice to lead 3-1.
Both players upped their game after that. Halep drilled an excellent forehand winner down the line to seal a comfortable hold, before Radwanska replied with an easy hold and some aggressive rallying to break back and get the set back on serve.
It did not stay that way for long. Halep produced a superb backhand winner and outlasted Radwanska in a long rally to earn 15-30 on the Pole’s serve.
The 2012 Wimbledon finalist levelled the score with a deft volley winner, but lost out in a long rally and then gifted the Romanian the break with an unforced error. Halep made it count as she held serve with ease to seal the first set.
Losing the opener seemed to trigger something in Radwanska and she responded superbly. In game two of the second set, she played a near-perfect return game which included a stunning backhand volley that spun back towards the net after it bounced.
That set the tone for the rest of Radwanska’s performance. She sealed a double break with a delightful floated backhand winner that just eluded the Halep’s racket, and then withstood a brief comeback from the Romanian to finish off the set and level the match.
In the decider, it was Halep’s turn to make a fast start. She broke Radwanska to love in the opening game with the help of an excellent forehand down the line and a spectacular angled backhand winner to finish one of the best rallies of the match.
Both players then registered comfortable holds before the momentum shifted again. The Pole out-rallied the Romanian to earn a 15-40 advantage and sealed the break back with a well-placed forehand pass.
After two intense games in which both Halep and Radwanska tried and failed to take control of the contest by breaking, Radwanska steeled herself and took her game to another level.
At 30-15 up during an easy hold, she played one of the best points of her career. First she drew Halep in with a drop shot, and then she lobbed her. The Romanian retrieved the lob and got it over the net, only to watch in horror as the Pole executed a perfect backhand drop volley.
Radwanska’s improvement seemed to deflate Halep as she made three errors to gift the Pole a break of serve and a 5-3 advantage.
To her credit, the Romanian did not give up as she fought her way to 30-all when Radwanska served for it. But the Pole held firm and forced Halep into a couple of errors to clinch an impressive victory.
Pliskova struggles past Hsieh
Fifth seed Karolina Pliskova endured a tough test in round three against Su-Wei Hsieh before eventually triumphing 6-4 1-6 7-6(4).
“It was a very tough match for sure,” said Pliskova in her on-court interview. “She has a strange style and there are not many players like this with a lot of slices and a lot of drop shots. It was a very tricky game.”
The Czech continued, “I started very well to go 5-1 up. (But then I made) some mistakes, she was back in the match and the third set was very close.”
Pliskova was also asked what it was like to defend points at an event. She said, “I try to not think about ranking and points but sometimes it’s tough. I came to this tournament to defend semi-finals.”
“I’m just happy that I won two rounds and two very tough matches – Makarova and here. I’m still in the tournament and my journey continues.”
In the other third round match taking place early in the day, Zarina Diyas beat Carina Witthoeft 4-6 7-5 6-0.
