Agnieszka Radwanska won her 20th WTA title with a dominant display against Johanna Konta in the China Open final.
The world No.3 Radwanska never seemed troubled by the surging Konta. The only threat happened in the second half of the first set, when the 11th-seeded Brit was two points away from leveling to 5-all after being down 2-5. Radwanska’s weak first serve percentage of 44% was counterbalanced by Konta’s unimpressive 50%, while in the department of unforced errors the Pole was way stronger than her opponent.
Radwanska’s dominance was even more evident in the second set, as the Pole marched to a 5-1 lead and there was no doubt that she would conquer the Brit. Radwanska was impressive in avoiding unforced errors, making a total of just 8 in the match (five in the first set and three in the second). Final score: 6-4 6-2.
After Beijing 2011 and Miami 2012, this is Radwanska’s third Premier Mandatory title. En route to an alluring $1,111,945 champion’s prize, the 27-year-old Radwanska defeated Wang Qiang in the first round, Ekaterina Makarova in the second, Caroline Wozniacki in the third, Yaroslava Shvedova in the quarterfinals, Elina Svitolina in the semis, and finally Konta, who played her first match knowing that when the rankings are updated on Monday she’ll make her Top 10 debut at position No.9.
The 25-year-old Konta can leave the China Open happy despite the loss, as she can be proud of being the first British woman to reach the final of a Premier mandatory tournament.
Radwanska lifted her third Premier Mandatory winner’s trophy, after Beijing 2011 and Miami 2012, wearing the Lotto Fall Nixia Dress in rose neon and the Lotto Fall Nixia Long-Sleeve Top. (photos: Jimmie48)
