The first Thursday’s singles match of the WTA Finals was played between Agnieszka Radwanska and Simona Halep, with the Pole marching away as the victor, sending home the top-seeded Romanian.
The first set was a close affair, as Radwanska was coming back twice, from 3-1 down and then in the tiebreak from 5-1 down. Opening the match with 30-0, Radwanska dropped serve in that first game, as Halep won four straight points, and the Romanian kept that lead until the fourth game. Radwanska then leveled to 3-3 and the players held their serves all the way to the tiebreak, which Radwanska edged despite trailing considerably after the first six points played. There were no ups and downs in the second set, as Radwanska steamrolled Halep 7-6(5) 6-1, crushing the last year’s runner-up’s hopes of reaching the semifinals.
When it comes to Radwanska’s semifinal prospects, she needs Maria Sharapova to beat Flavia Pennetta in straight sets in the upcoming Red Group match. (photo: Jimmie48)
