Radwanksa Finally Gets Over On Azarenka Again by Matt Cronin, TennisReporters.net

Written by: Staff on 22nd January 2014

Radwanksa Finally Gets Over On Azarenka Again by Matt Cronin, TennisReporters.net

epa04035441 Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland in action against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus during their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 22 January 2014. EPA/NARENDRA SHRESTHA |

Agnieszka Radwanska was not in the same position as Wawrinka or Dimitrov was entering their matches, but she had been in a bad way the past two years against fellow 24- year-old Victoria Azarenka, but she played more freely against then than she has at any time in recent memory and pulled off a 6-1 5-7 6-0 upset. Azarenka complimented Radwanska on playing amazingly well, but also said that she was too predictable and wasn’t thinking hard enough. But for Radwanska — who blew a huge chance at Wimbledon last year to win a maiden Slam — it was a standout performance, especially from the mental side. Her creative side and quickness is always there but her confidence is elusive against the elite.

The little magician has admitted that it took her a while get over her loss to Sabine Lisicki in the semifinals of 2013 Wimbledon when she was the highest remaining seed left in he draw, but she found a way to look at the future.

“Of course, losing matches like at Wimbledon, it’s always disappointing. It’s kind of painful, as well, especially that it was the semi-final of a grand slam,” she said But I think you’re playing so many tournaments, so many very important matches, that it takes really not much time to forget. I think every Grand Slam is a different story. I’m trying not to really think about other matches, especially tough matches that I lost.”

Radwanska will face Dominika Cibulkova in the semis on Thursday, whom she says she has known since they were facing off as 8 or 9 year olds in Eastern Europe. She will be favored in that match and will be seen as an equal to Li Na should they meet in the final, assuming Li finds away to put down Canadian teen Genie Bouchard. Then another golden opportunity will be presented to her.

“I think this is the level everybody playing great tennis,” Radwanska said. “Well, it’s a bit more pressure. This is the semifinal of a Grand Slam. Especially here, first time for me. Hopefully I will play the same tennis as today.”

Topics: 10sballs, Agnieszka Radwanska, Australian Open, Eugenie Bouchard, GRIGOR DIMITROV, Sabine Lisicki, Sports, Stanislas Wawrinka, Tennis, Tennis News, Victoria Azarenka