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Radwanska Hails Tokyo-Sinapore Express

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

TOKYO, Japan – Agnieszka Radwanska kickstarted last season’s Asian Swing with a win at the Toray Pan Pacific Open, taking the momentum all the way to Singapore to capture the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global.

Seeded No.2 in Japan’s Premier event, Radwanska is hoping for a little bit of history repeating in Tokyo. Check out her thoughts on her bid to make a Singapore return in her pre-tournament interview.

Radwanska plays her opening round match on Wednesday night against Barbora Strycova.

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Wozniacki Breezes Into Auckland Quarterfinals

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

AUCKLAND, New Zealand – Caroline Wozniacki continued her confident start to the new season by breezing past Varvara Lepchenko and into the quarterfinals of the ASB Classic.

With the dust still settling from the exits of both Williams sisters from the tournament, No.3 seed Wozniacki made light work of the gusty conditions to wrap up a 6-3, 6-3 victory.

“It was a bit of a different match, a little bit tougher conditions today. But I was happy with the way I managed to keep cool and deal with her tricky lefty serves – I was pleased with it.”

Venus Williams’ withdrawal ahead of her second-round match resulted in Wozniacki taking court a little earlier than expected, but she took the change of schedule in her stride, finishing both sets strongly to wrap up victory after an hour and 18 minutes.

“I was in my room and I got a text asking where I was, and I was like, what do you mean? Then I found out Venus was pulling out and I needed to play a little earlier and started to stress out because I wasn’t ready.”

The former World No.1 will now play Julia Goerges, against whom she has a mixed record, winning four of their eight encounters, including two years ago in Auckland. “She’s a tough opponent, a tough match-up for me,” Wozniacki added. “But I’m excited for it, it’s going to be a good challenge. I’ve played her here before and done well, so I’m hoping I can play another good match and win.”

Goerges booked her spot by prevailing over Naomi Broady, 7-5, 6-4, in the battle of the big servers. Also advancing were Barbora Strycova, who edged past Lucie Safarova, 7-5, 3-6, 7-6(4), and Jelena Ostapenko, a 6-2, 7-6(3) winner over Mirjana Lucic-Baroni.

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Konjuh Books Jankovic Semifinal In Guangzhou

Konjuh Books Jankovic Semifinal In Guangzhou

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

GUANGZHOU, China – 18-year-old Ana Konjuh romped past Jennifer Brady in straight sets to book a semifinal clash with defending champion Jelena Jankovic at the Guangzhou International Women’s Open.

The Croat opened her quarterfinal match with an emphatic break to love, and served powerfully to hit five aces and win 90 percent of points behind her first serve.

She didn’t face a break point until the final game of the first set, when Brady mounted a late resistance and brought up five chances. But the teen batted away her chances and served out the set. She earned a second break late in the final set to advance to her WTA-level semifinal of the year, 6-4, 7-5.

With the victory, the youngest player left in the tournament will take on the oldest player in the draw, as Konjuh books a semifinal clash with defending champion and WTA veteran Jankovic.

Jelena Jankovic

“I know her pretty well and I know she’s a young player who is playing very well in this moment,” Jankovic said. “We player earlier in the year on grass, in Mallorca, and I was able to win that match. But every match is a new match and I just hope I can come out tomorrow and play some good tennis and hopefully I can make it to another final. This is my goal.”

The No.2 seeded Serb faced a tight first set against Sabine Lisicki in her quarterfinal – the German was two points away from taking the first set while Jankovic was serving at 5-4. But Jankovic rallied to take the set in a tiebreak.She took the decisive break late in the second set to advance 7-6(4), 6-4.

“I think it as a good match overall – we were both fighting for every point,” Jankovic said. “That first set was very close, just a few points’ difference. I was able to stay strong and fight hard, and I think that fighting spirit was the difference.”

“I pushed myself a little bit more when the times got really tough out there. I’m very happy I was able to win against Lisicki, because she was playing a very high level tennis.”

Also through to the semifinals are Lesia Tsurenko and Anett Kontaveit. Tsurenko came back from a set done to out the No.5 seed Alison Riske 3-6, 6-4, 6-0, while Kontaveit downed Viktorija Golubic 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.

WTA Finals: Get Your Tickets!

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Serena Sets Up Halep Quarterfinal

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

INDIAN WELLS, CA, USA – Top seed Serena Williams endured a few frustrating moments against a resurgent Kateryna Bondarenko, easing past the qualifier, 6-2, 6-2 at the BNP Paribas Open.

Watch highlights, interviews and more video from Indian Wells right here on wtatennis.com!

Bondarenko came back to tennis just over 18 months ago after giving birth to a daughter, but has been playing some of the best tennis of either of her two careers in 2016, reaching the Australian Open third round as she slowly creeps back to her former career-high of No.29.

“It definitely wasn’t an easy match,” Williams told Andrew Krasny during her on-court interview. “She’s obviously been a good player in the past, and she knows how to play on big courts against big players. So, it was a good match for me.”

In complete control through the first six games, the American lost serve a game from the opening set, and battled through windy conditions and some evident angst through the 72 minute match. In the end, she hit 26 impressive winners to only 22 errors, while Bondarenko hit 13 winners to 21 unforced.

“Regardless of whether it’s windy, not windy, and you just have to be able to adjust. I always think things can be worse!”

Up next for the 21-time Grand Slam champion is No.5 seed and defending BNP Paribas Open champion Simona Halep; Williams triumphed in both of their 2015 encounters – including a tight two-set win in the finals of the Western & Southern Open.

Back at Indian Wells for only the second time since 2001, Williams said she’s feeling the love from fans in the California desert, and hopes to be the crowd favorite come the quarterfinals.

“I want to scream back that I love you too – I’m not sure if that’s appropriate – but I do; I love you guys, and thanks for your support.”

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