Beating Barbora Zahlavova Strycova, Sabine Lisicki, eighth seed Victoria Azarenka, Ekaterina Makarova and finally Venus Williams at the Rogers Cup, world No.5 Agnieszka Radwanska clinched her first title of the season and 14th of her career.
At the semifinal stage of the tournament, all eyes were on the all-Williams clash, while Radwanska added the victory over Makarova to her pile of big wins at the Premier-level tournament and earned a meeting with Venus, whom she had beaten in their previous two matches, despite trailing their head-to-head record 3-5.
Venus’ health issues include problems with tiredness and her four three-setters en route to the final only added to the strain. The fact that her last step towards the title was the big returner Radwanska decreased her chances further. The Pole’s retrieving skills forced Venus to make errors and even though the American never stopped fighting, coming back from 4-1 to 4-3 in the first set and from 2-0 to 2-2 in the second, the energetic Radwanska triumphed 6-4 6-2.
The 2014 Rogers Cup was an amazing tournament for Women’s Tennis Blog, as we followed the event live, through our photographer Jimmie48.
I have more great news! Women’s Tennis Blog has also established cooperation with photographer Omar Boraby and he will bring us fresh photos from this week’s Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati. Stay tuned!