MAGIC FROM SHARAPOVA AND RADWANSKA AS THEY ADVANCE TO THE WTA FINALS SEMIS IN SINGAPORE BY GLOBAL CHICK

Written by: Global Chick on 29th October 2015

BNP Paribas WTA Finals 2015 in Singapore

MAGIC FROM SHARAPOVA AND RADWANSKA AS THEY ADVANCE TO THE WTA FINALS SEMIS IN SINGAPORE BY GLOBAL CHICK

epa05001933 Maria Sharapova of Russia in action against Flavia Pennetta of Italy during their singles round robin stage match of the BNP Paribas WTA Finals 2015 held at the indoor stadium in Singapore, 29 October 2015. EPA/WALLACE WOON |

10sBalls – And Scene….ario (Part 1)

We wake up, the sun is actually shining as the haze is banished (for a day at least) and magic happened in the first of the last round robins!

Coming into the tournament, Simona Halep would say she felt no pressure as the top seed, and despite the ever present niggling injuries that plague the players at the end of a season, she declared herself fit and ready.

She certainly started in fine style, beating US Open champion Flavia Pennetta commandingly, but there the story takes a bit of a turn. Unable to make a dent in a now ominous looking head to head against Maria Sharapova, it was truly on her racquet to lose.

But hey, that’s OK because Radwanska’s form coming in had been great in Asia with the exception of an early flight out of Wuhan, but her run here had been tough. She and Sharapova had played a superb high-quality match but she had been edged out, and lost to an inspired Pennetta who wanted to make sure she at least called time on her career with some flair.

Getting broken right at the start of the match wasn’t the best of starts for her in that case was it? Halep looked to be in control and more fool us, we discarded our colourful scenarios, looking for all the world like a game of Tetris had had a fit on the page.

But something was stirring on the other side of the net from the gritty Romanian, and suddenly we were treated to Radwanska flying through the air stretching for reverse backhands and basically… ninja-ing like a boss!

The very game that makes her so very compelling to watch was there in full effect, as she literally wore Halep down to the nubs of her knees to force a tie-break. As Halep steamed 5/1 up we looked around sagely, but Radwanska was not done yet.

Reeling off six points on the trot, she magicked away the first set, and although Halep managed to stave off a break point in the opening game of the second set, it was the last time she would have any kind of say in the proceedings – it was Aga’s show as she blasted away for a 7-6(5) 6-1 win.

Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland returns to Simona Halep of Romania during their eighth round match in the singles round robin stage of the BNP Paribas WTA Finals 2015 at the indoor stadium in Singapore, 29 October 2015. EPA/WALLACE WOON

You have to hand it to Halep though. She has had knockbacks as well as some successes and this year we have loved seeing her handle it all with a smile and positivity.

She said: “I think I had a good year this year. Ups and downs, but it was okay. I will finish No. 2 or No. 3 in the world so it’s pretty good for me. It’s second year in a row.

“I want to get better for the next year. I have many things to improve. I have to run a little bit more because I need. Today I couldn’t breathe anymore in the second set. But it’s normal. I have to be healthy first and then to train hard. I really want to get better; I want to do better next year.”

We really want her to. She’s transformed from being a bunny in the headlights when faced with the media, to really handling us well, and a great dry sense of humour and if she can get a handle on her game, she is definitely one of our ones to watch once this great era moves on.

As for Radwanska – back against the wall, she just swung for the fences:

“That definitely was a crazy set. Up and downs pretty much whole set. Every point matters in that case. Well, the tiebreak I didn’t really know that I could come back, and suddenly ‑‑ I think I was really relaxed. I didn’t get tight and I think I made really good shot in important moments. When was just 5‑1 down I think I just kind of play aggressive tennis and that works.

“What I can do right now is just watch and cheer for Maria. So that’s it. (Laughter.)”

So now it was all on the last match. Radwanska could only go through if Sharapova won in straight sets. All Pennetta needed to do was to nab a set off the Russian to extend her career for one more day (yes yes, OK two more days, picky)!

Oh and she was so close. Breaking Sharapova at the start of the match, it looked as though the tennis gods would shine on her one more time, but Sharapova had other ideas.

Breaking to level and then delivering the killer blow to break at the end to take a tight first set, she put the pedal to the metal in the second. You had to wonder what was going through Pennetta’s mind in that last changeover, just two games away from the end of her career. As it turned out – she was plotting her escape route!

It was a classy end though as Sharapova, whose relief at winning the first two minds was pure emotion made for a more muted celebration before giving Pennetta a hug at the net.

She had beat a hasty retreat, declining an on-court ceremony to say goodbye, and afterwards spoke about her last professional match.

She said: “I’m happy to have the chance to play this tournament. I think to have the last match against Maria was amazing play such a good champion. Was a good way also to say good‑bye, because when you lose against such a good player there is not too many things to say.

“I don’t want any drama. I don’t like drama. I wasn’t able to do that, so I prefer maybe to do it in few months. I don’t know, maybe in Rome or wherever. But in that time ‑‑ I don’t like drama and I don’t like to cry, and I know if I was there I will cry. So why? No. (Laughter.)”

Maria Sharapova of Russia (L) walks past Flavia Pennetta of Italy (R) during their singles round robin stage match of the BNP Paribas WTA Finals 2015 held at the indoor stadium in Singapore, 29 October 2015. EPA/WALLACE WOON

Sharapova now goes 3-0 and with Fed Cup just around the corner too, spoke about how she put her time out of the tour over the hard court summer to effective use.

“Every match for me just counts at this point in the season in the last tournament. As I said before, I wanted to try to play a high‑quality three matches, and I didn’t know the results would have gone the way that I have expected.

“I’m actually, I think, also a little bit surprised that I’ve been able to win three matches, as physical as some of those matches were. I think knowing that I qualified allowed me to be a little bit more aggressive today. I thought I played quite aggressively in the second set and had a good ratio of winners and unforced errors, was quite solid. Served well.

“So all those things helped me. And also not playing a third set against Flavia, as we have done previously, is also a big help for me.”

So after days of looking at blocky little grids, and crossing off scenarios as they occurred we have our one and two. 2004 champion Maria Sharapova heads the group with Radwanska second as we settle down for the more complex group.

Ah well… just as well it was happy hour this evening!

Editors note :

The team here at 10sBalls is thrilled for coach Sven Groeneveld and TEAM U.N. ! Catch Sven’s premier on Tennis Channel Today. He gives The best coaching advice and inside comments Ever ! Check out his overhead and swinging volley. If previews today in America.

Singapore Sling

Topics: 10sballs.com, Agnieszka Radwanska, Flavia Pennetta, global chick, Ladies tennis, Maria Sharapova, Simona Halep, Singapore tennis, sven groeneveld, Tennis News, WTA Finals

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10sBalls_com says:

October 29, 2015 at 9:59 am

Magic From @MariaSharapova And @ARadwanska As They Advance To The #WTAFinals Semis In #Singapore by Global Chick- https://t.co/4KLaP7skQY
sventennis says:

October 29, 2015 at 10:03 am

RT @10sBalls_com: Magic From @MariaSharapova And @ARadwanska As They Advance To The #WTAFinals Semis In #Singapore by Global Chick- https:/…
4c8e6c9c46564a5 says:

October 29, 2015 at 12:10 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: Magic From @MariaSharapova And @ARadwanska As They Advance To The #WTAFinals Semis In #Singapore by Global Chick- https:/…