Tuesday 26 January 2016

Radwanska first to the semis

Aga Radwanska has been in sparkling form, although she was stretched in her fourth round match by unseeded Anna-Lena Friedsam, and no doubt Carla Suarez Navarro, should she have fully recovered from her slight injury, will provide a decent test for the fourth seed.  The Spanish tenth seed knows how to beat the Polish fourth seed and this quarter final match should be entertaining.

Carla served first and errors by both players saw 15-15. Aggressive backhand from Carla forced another error from Aga.  More mistakes and deuce arrived. The net was found several times, the latest bringing a break point for Aga. It was converted, appropriately via another Carla error.  1-0 Aga.  A good serve for 30-0. A forehand winner especially shipped in from Poland and Aga had 40-0. One game point saved but game to Poland and 2-0.

A lob long from Aga and it was 30-15 for Carla. 30-30 and Carla struggling.  Double fault and another chance to break.  A Spanish backhand out of court and Aga led 3-0 with two breaks.  A backhand winner from Carla was replied with a forehand winner from Aga.  30-30 after a Spanish long shot. A netted forehand after a long rally from Carla and 40-30 to Aga.  She held for 4-0.

15-0 after a Carla off forehand winner.  40-0 quickly.  An ace put Carla on the board but Aga still controlled proceedings 4-1.  A forehand smash from Carla and 30-30 Aga.  A wild Carla backhand gave Aga game point, saved after a long rally controlled and won by Carla.  Aga eventually held for 5-1. A poor forehand by Carla and 0-15.  A netted forehand and 0-40.  Three set points.  One saved via a good serve, not the next.  Aga Radwanska won the first set convincingly 6-1.

Radwanska held serve and led 1-0 in the second set.  Carla had 30-0 after a winning backhand. Aga hit one of her own for 30-15.  A double fault and 30-30 was worrying.  A perfect lob from Poland earned a break point.  A netted backhand from Spain gave the break to Aga and it was 2-0.

A forehand put away by Aga and 15-15.  A strong forehand from Carla and 30-30.  Another forehand, this a clean winner, and break point for Spain.  Saved by the net.  Another break point created by a stunning backhand down the line by Carla.  Also saved. The third break point was converted once Aga hit one into the net and games were on serve. Aga led 2-1.

Carla had 30-30 before a backhand found the net and Aga had break point.  It was saved after a searching rally.  The net was catching several balls today.  A forehand crosscourt winner from Aga and a forehand wide from Carla caused the break and Aga now had 3-1.

A brilliant backhand down the line from Carla followed by a forehand just as good presented her with three break points.  A slashing backhand saved one but a backhand pass from Carla won the break and Aga's lead cut to 3-2.

Down again on serve 15-30 Carla received an error from Aga gratefully. However the backhand into the net presented a break point to the fourth seed. Saved through aggressive play.  Deuce was reached three times.  A double fault meant another break point.  Saved with a great combination of shots before the best point of the match was played.  Several shots of brilliance and Carla won with a backhand of class.  Still they gravitated to deuce and then another break point. Saved again with attacking tennis from Carla.  The serve was held ultimately and games were 3-3.

Aga had gone through a flat spot but was switched back on and held well for 4-3.  Carla served smartly but a double fault brought it to deuce.  An unforced error and break point to Aga.  Saved but still precarious.  A volley put away presented another break point and this time Carla's unforced error gave the break to Aga.  5-3 to the fourth seed and serving for the match.

15-15 and tight.  A forehand winner from Carla and 15-30.  A great return of serve set up another Spanish winner and two break points.  The first was saved.  A magificent backhand down the line saved the second.  Deuce.  Carla gained another break point with a return.  This was saved with a wild backhand from Carla.  Match point with a serve forehand combination.  The next point was Aga's for the match.

Aga Radwanska defeated Carla Suarez Navarro 6-1 6-3 and would play either Serena Williams or Maria Sharapova in the semi finals.

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