Radwanska secures a WTA Finals slot

AFP, BEIJING: Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska secured a slot in the WTA Finals with a straight-sets victory in the final of China’s Tianjin Open on Sunday.
The 6-1, 6-2 win by the world number six over the much lower ranked Montenegrin Danka Kovinic ensures her place at the WTA Finals in Singapore next month.
The $500,000 (440,000-euro) WTA tournament has seen a run of upsets and has been beset by heavy air pollution.
Kovinic, the only Montenegrin to reach the last eight of a WTA tournament, made a promising start but was simply outclassed in her maiden final.
Despite holding in the opening game and having break-point openings against the serve, Kovinic was broken herself in game three.
She failed to hold in the remainder of the first set and fared little better in the second as Radwanska wrapped up a 16th WTA Tour title.
“I’m excited to play at the WTA Finals in Singapore this year,” Radwanska said after securing her 16th career title and second this year.
“I have good memories from playing in Singapore. The fans there are amazing, so I can’t wait to get out there and compete against the best players in the world.”
The second-seeded Radwanska broke Kovinic five times and saved all five break points she faced. The Polish player didn’t lose a set in five matches this week to win her 16th career WTA Tour title. Radwanska became the fifth player to qualify for the year-end championships, joining Maria Sharapova, Simona Halep, Petra Kvitova and Garbine Muguruza in the field. Top-ranked Serena Williams is skipping the tournament to rest and recover from injuries and a long, demanding season.

Radwanska secures a WTA Finals slot

AFP, BEIJING: Polands Agnieszka Radwanska secured a slot in the WTA Finals with a straight-sets victory in the final of Chinas Tianjin Open on Sunday. The 6-1, 6-2 win by the world number six over the much lower ranked Montenegrin Danka Kovinic ensures her place at the WTA Finals in Singapore next month. The $500,000 (440,000-euro) WTA tournament has seen a run of upsets and has been beset by heavy air pollution. Kovinic, the only Montenegrin to reach the last eight of a WTA tournament, made a promising start but was simply outclassed in her maiden final. Despite holding in the opening game and having break-point openings against the serve, Kovinic was broken herself in game three. She failed to hold in the remainder of the first set and fared little better in the second as Radwanska wrapped up a 16th WTA Tour title. Im excited to play at the WTA Finals in Singapore this year, Radwanska said after securing her 16th career title and second this year. I have good memories from playing in Singapore. The fans there are amazing, so I cant wait to get out there and compete against the best players in the world. The second-seeded Radwanska broke Kovinic five times and saved all five break points she faced. The Polish player didnt lose a set in five matches this week to win her 16th career WTA Tour title. Radwanska became the fifth player to qualify for the year-end championships, joining Maria Sharapova, Simona Halep, Petra Kvitova and Garbine Muguruza in the field. Top-ranked Serena Williams is skipping the tournament to rest and recover from injuries and a long, demanding season.