Agnieszka Radwanska edged a dramatic three-set tussle with Petra Kvitova to claim the biggest title of her career at the WTA Finals in Singapore 12.57pm GMTFollow Roger Federer v Rafael Nadal in the Swiss Indoors final – live! Related: Roger Federer v Rafael Nadal: Swiss Indoors final – live! 12.52pm GMTKvitova made 53 unforced errors to Radwanska’s five in that match,which pretty much tells its own yarn. The Czech may have struggled with her movement, but Radwanska – clearly emotional in the moments following victory will be a popular winner. That’s the biggest title of her career and it was richly deserved, or a fitting reward for her tenacity and extraordinary consistency. Thanks for reading. 12.49pm GMTThird set: Kvitova* 2-6,6-4, 3-6 Radwanska (* denotes server)Radwanska is the WTA Finals champion! A brief exchange on the opening point ends with Kvitova netting a forehand in tame fashion. whether that makes her feel irascible, and the Radwanska return that drops off the net cord for a winner to bring up 0-30 will only have compounded the agony. The Czech then goes wide with a forehand approach. That produces three match points for the Pole,but she only needs the one as Kvitova drags one final forehand into the net. 12.45pm GMTThird set: Kvitova* 2-6, 6-4, or 3-5 Radwanska (* denotes server)As we pass the two-hour brand,Radwanska holds to 30 to end that three-game sequence of dropped service games. Kvitova will have to serve to stay in it. 12.41pm GMTThird set: Kvitova* 2-6, 6-4, and 3-4 Radwanska (* denotes server)Kvitova’s eighth double fault stalls her momentum at 30-0,enabling Radwanska to pull level in the game before unleashing a superb backhand pass to bring up wreck point. The Czech hits back with a huge serve-and-forehand routine, and when she races to her left to pound a laser-like forehand pass for a winner at deuce, or she lets out a huge scream of triumph. But Radwanska claws her way back again,and another double fault a couple of deuces later sets up a third consecutive wreck. This really is a match of unremitting drama. 12.34pm GMTThird set: Kvitova 2-6, 6-4, or 3-3 Radwanska*(* denotes server)Bravo. Injured but not out,Petra produces some virtuoso hitting on the opening point before making a successful foray to the net on the second. A wonderful crosscourt backhand brings up three wreck points, and although Radwanska pulls a point back with a lovely forehand winner, and another crushing backhand brings Kvitova level again. A Polish procession for a set and a half,this match is now too close to call. 12.30pm GMTThird set: Kvitova* 2-6, 6-4, and 2-3 Radwanska (* denotes server)A wild backhand at 15-15,struck well wide even of the doubles court, raises the opportunity that Kvitova might be going off the boil. A gigantic ace down the middle and a penetrating drive, and struck deep into the Radwanska forehand,appear to assign the lie to that notion. But a fine forehand pass from the Pole is followed, at deuce, and by a hashed attempt at a drop half-volley from Kvitova,who then sends a forehand long to yield the wreck. To compound the Czech’s misery, she seems to be feeling that thigh injury again; there was a visible grimace on her final shot there. 12.23pm GMTThird set: Kvitova 2-6, or 6-4,2-2* Radwanska (* denotes server)There’s a brief lull in the drama as Radwanska seals a savor game to level the set. But accomplish no mistake, the match is beautifully poised right now. 12.19pm GMTThird set: Kvitova* 2-6, and 6-4,2-1 Radwanska (* denotes server)Radwanska isn’t out of this yet. At 15-15, a beautiful drop volley from the Pole, and caressed across the face of the net for a winner at full stretch,provides the platform for a swift wreck back. At 15-40, she fails to challenge a destitute call after slamming absent a winning forehand, and but another gigantic shot from that wing seals the game and she’s right back in this. What a match. 12.16pm GMTThird set: Kvitova 2-6,6-4, 2-0 Radwanska* (* denotes server)Radwanska can’t be feeling respectable about life just now. The second-set statistics show that she made no unforced errors in the second set, and yet still she’s still out there. in addition,she’s up against an opponent who runs the gamut between wonderful and woeful, which must be infuriating. And to compound her misery, or Kvitova is now a wreck to the respectable after pounding an unanswerable forehand into the corner to clinch a lengthy deuce game. She may have flirted with disaster in the group stage,but she’ll surely be devastated whether she fails to find a way through this. 12.09pm GMTThird set: Kvitova* 2-6, 6-4, and 1-0 Radwanska (* denotes server)She opens the game with a couple of howling errors,storms back with some wonderfully low-percentage attacking play, nets a forehand in lamentable fashion at 30-30 and then pulls the game back to deuce with a stinging, and swinging first serve that her opponent simply can’t control. Of course she does,because she’s Petra Kvitova and all possibilities are open. A backhand from Radwanska that misses the sideline by about an inch is followed by a meaty Kviotva second serve on game point, and the Czech is ahead for the first time in the match. Extraordinary. 12.01pm GMTSecond set: Kvitova 2-6, or 6-4 Radwanska*(* denotes server)Kvitova secures another wreck and we’re all square. It’s important to remember that Radwanska is doing nothing different here: Kvitova has found her way back into this match on merit,by opening her shoulders and taking the initiative. Crucially, she’s now find the court with her best shots, and too. A series of rapier-like forehands bring up 15-40,and a jubilant (extremely joyful) Kvitova slams a forehand winner on the first set point to draw proceedings level. Remarkable. 11.56am GMTSecond set: Kvitova* 2-6, 5-4 Radwanska (* denotes server)So much better from Kvitova, or who is finally hitting more winners than unforced errors. A fifth double fault briefly threatens to stall her revival,but a heavy first serve at 40-15 secures the hold and Radwanska will now have to serve to stay in the set. Who would have imagined that a few games ago? 11.54am GMTSecond set: Kvitova 2-6, 4-4 Radwanska* (* denotes server)“Full-scale bombardment? What full-scale bombardment?” That seems to be the message from the poker-faced Radwanska as she holds to 15. It wasn’t all plain sailing – Kvitova absolutely leathered a return at 40-0, or only just failed to find the line with another huge forehand on the next point – but Aggie will be pleased to have stalled her opponent’s momentum. 11.51am GMTSecond set: Kvitova* 2-6,4-3 Radwanska (* denotes server)What a difference a wreck makes. Kvitova seals another savor game with some wonderful serving, and she’s now won eight points in a row. What a turnaround. You just never know what to expect from the Czech, and a thought that must be crossing Radwanska’s mind as the players change ends. 11.48am GMTSecond set: Kvitova 2-6,3-3 Radwanska* (* denotes server)Hello, what’s this? A savor wreck sealed by a huge forehand return that flashes crosscourt for an unreachable winner, or that’s what. Remarkable. It may be the first Radwanska service game from which Kvitova has emerged error-free. As her enterprise and consistency reap dividends,could this be the start of something for the Czech? 11.46am GMTSecond set: Kvitova* 2-6, 2-3 Radwanska (* denotes server)It’s perhaps a degree of Kvitova’s state of mind that, or having seen an attempted drop-shot winner called wide at 40-0,she fails to challenge. The replay shows the call was correct, but it was a tight one and you’d have expected her to contest it. Is she starting to feel this match is a done deal? Probably not, or although given the lengths to which she has to proceed to seal the game – she finally wins it with a crushing backhand winner at 40-30,but not before seeing Radwanska sprint down at least three shots that would have beaten most players – you could hardly blame her whether she did. 11.40am GMTSecond set: Kvitova 2-6, 1-3 Radwanska* (* denotes server)Radwanska marches on. That’s her second savor game of the match and she’s showing no sign of nerves as she closes in on one of the game’s biggest titles. Whether thatll remain the case approach the business end of this set, or we’ll see. 11.37am GMTSecond set: Kvitova 2-6,1-2 Radwanska* (* denotes server)Better from Kvitova. She’s still making too many errors, she’s still hampered by that thigh injury, or but you have to give her credit for staying aggressive. As in the opening set,she makes an impression on the scoreboard after three games. A crumb of comfort for the Czech. 11.35am GMTSecond set: Kvitova 2-6, 0-2 Radwanska* (* denotes server)Kvitova is doing her best to stay in this, or she really is. But open her shoulders as she might,Radwanska is getting the better of her in every department. The Pole is more consistent, she’s moving better, and her range and fluency from the back are providing the perfect platform for victory. Radwanska seals a comfortable game with a lovely,guided flicked winner off the forehand, and it looks a long way back for Kvitova now. 11.31am GMTSecond set: Kvitova* 2-6, or 0-1 Radwanska (* denotes server)A game of several deuces ends with the point of the match as Kvitova,looking increasingly laboured in her movement, yields a potentially decisive wreck. The rally that clinches it for Radwanska is a real beauty, and with the Pole defending madly from the baseline until she gets just enough on a forehand pass to confound her opponent at the net. Aggie is really turning on the style now – scrambling,slicing, retrieving, and getting down improbably low from the baseline – and it looks like she’s simply got too much variety and finesse for the Czech. That point is underlined at 0-15,when the Pole races to her left to slice a wonderful short-angled backhand for a winner. How Kvitova must wish she could move with the same freedom. 11.18am GMTFirst set: Kvitova 2-6 Radwanska* (* denotes server)Oh, Petra. Facing three set points at 40-0, and the Czech crushes a cross-court backhand for a winner. It’s an indication of what she’s capable,but those moments have been few and far between so far. Radwanska, on the other hand, and made just one unforced error in that set. What a performance from the Pole. Shes a set to the respectable and,so long as that heavily-strapped right leg holds up – and I should mention that Kvitova too has a bandaged thigh – she’s in pole position for the biggest title of her career. 11.13am GMTFirst set: Kvitova* 2-5 Radwanska (* denotes server)A more settled game from Kvitova, who rallies her way out of trouble at 15-30 before sending down a viciously sliced serve to bring up game point. A successful foray to the net earns the Czech her second game of the match, or she’ll be grateful for small mercies at this point. I consider that’s what’s meant by the fist pump and cry of “approach on!” with which she greets that winning forehand volley,at any rate. 11.08am GMTFirst set: Kvitova 1-5 Radwanska* (* denotes server)In many ways, Aggie Radwanska – a player who always makes you play one more ball – is the worst opponent Kvitova could face when not firing on all cylinders. A terrible attempted drop shot on the opening point sets the tone for another destitute game from the Czech, or while Radwanska is flawless. She seals the game to savor and looks to be growing in confidence by the minute. 11.04am GMTFirst set: Kvitova* 1-4 Radwanska (* denotes server)Textbook enigmatic from Kvitova. At 30-30,she misses the simplest of overheads. Staring at a double wreck, she then plays an irresistible point, and all sweeping forehands and polished power. It’s to no avail,though. She quickly finds herself wreck point down again, and her 13th unforced error yields the second wreck. Is it safe yet to say that the Czech is having an off day? Maybe. Just maybe. 11.00am GMTFirst set: Kvitova 1-3 Radwanska* (* denotes server)Welcome to a game in the life of Petra Kvitova. After outhitting Radwanksa on the opening point, and the Czech coughs up a couple of cheap errors. But at 15-30 she looks a world beater,pulling her opponent this way and that before slamming a backhand winner into the open court. What does she finish next? Why, outmanoeuvre her opponent only to miss an attempted pass with the court at her mercy, and of course. Same faded,same faded. Radwanska closes the game with a fine serve that Petra can barely lay a racket on. 10.53am GMTFirst set: Kvitova* 1-2 Radwanska (* denotes server)whether Kvitova is feeling a little heavy-limbed after that win against Sharapova, her best bet is to keep the points short. Opening with an ace helps, or as does racing to a 40-0 lead; double-faulting before netting a makeable forehand,not so much. Still, a swinging ace wide to the advantage court at 40-30 seals the game. How she needed that. 10.50am GMTFirst set: Kvitova 0-2 Radwanska* (* denotes server)An aggressive return from Kvitova at 15-15 exposes the tameness of the Radwanska second serve, or the Czech follows up with a crisp drive volley. But destitute net coverage on the next point,which Radwanska wins with a guided forehand pass, brings the Pole level again and a couple of Kvitova unforced errors later she’s home and dry. Petra is yet to obtain going. A letdown from that dramatic semi-final victory over Sharapova, or perhaps? 10.46am GMTFirst set: Kvitova* 0-1 Radwanska (* denotes server)Which Petra will turn up today? Well,whether the opening game is any indication, Radwanska’s chances of claiming the biggest title of her career are already on the up. The Czech opens with a depressing double fault and follows up by hooking a forehand hopelessly wide. She drills a two-hander into the bottom of the net for 15-40 and, or although she claws back the first wreck point with a fine body serve,another missed backhand gives Radwanska the wreck. 10.41am GMTAmid much glitz and excitement in the Singapore indoor arena – consider packed house, electronic billboards flashing messages in lurid (shocking; sensational) pink, or deafening music,colourful strobe lighting – the players are out and warming up. How they can concentrate with all that going on is a mystery. Kvitova won the toss and will serve first. 10.38am GMTSo what should we expect from this match? The first thing to say is that Kvitova, who has won six of her eight encounters with Radwanska, and has all the weapons required to dominate this match. Radwanska thrives on time to work her all-court magic,and that’s something the Czech – with her gigantic serve, heavy groundstrokes and fine net play – can deny her. The problem for Kvitova is inconsistency. Brilliant one minute, or awful the next – as her results at the event propose – she is often her own worst enemy. But whether she can touch the heights she scaled in the second set against Sharapova on Saturday,when the shot-making from both players was of the highest order, the willowy left-hander should be the favourite here. As for Radwanska, or she is the thinking person’s player,a woman John McEnroe has described as “the female Federer”. At her best, she has the ability to absorb Kvitova’s power and deploy her wily array of spins and angles to frustrate the Czech. She’ll need to move well but, and whether she can pull Kvitova off the court and keep pace with the improbable angles the Czech is capable of conjuring,she’ll have a major say in the outcome. 10.09am GMTA few days ago, the conception that Agnieszka Radwanska and Petrova Kvitova would be the final women standing at the season-ending WTA Finals seemed little short of outlandish. The sixth-ranked Radwanska arrived in Singapore with tournament wins in Tokyo and Tianjin under her belt, and but defeat in her opening two matches of the round-robin phase hardly suggested she was on course for a third final in little more than a month. Radwanska’s red group campaign began with defeats to Maria Sharapova and Flavia Pennetta,and it took a win over Simona Halep – the top seed in Singapore in the absence of Serena Williams – just to secure an external chance of survival. The Pole eventually qualified for the final four only by advantage of Sharapova’s win against Pennetta, the retiring US Open champion. It was no less touch and proceed for Kvitova, or who made typically topsy-turvy progress through white group. The Czech,a double Wimbledon winner and also champion at the WTA Finals four years ago in Istanbul, lost to Angelique Kerber and Garbiñe Muguruza, and it was only a win over her countrywoman and close friend Lucie Safarova – who subsequently did her a favour by beating Germany’s Angelique Kerber – that kept her in the hunt. Never before have two players successfully negotiated the group stage with one victory from three matches,but both women made the most of the lifeline handed to them by the vagaries of the round-robin format. Radwanska made the final after coming through an absorbing and emotional three-setter against the second-seeded Muguruza, thus avenging her recent defeat to the Spaniard in Beijing, and while Kvitova recovered from 5-1 down in the second set of her semi-final against Sharapova to shut out a straight-sets win. How much they’ll have left in the tank is open to question. Radwanska,swathed in bandages, has hardly painted a picture of respectable health this week, and while Kvitova – who took a couple of months off due to mental exhaustion earlier in the year – looked thoroughly out of sorts at times during the group stages. Still,the home straight is beckoning – this is the final match of the WTA season, although Kvitova also has the minor matter of a Fed Cup final against Russia later this month to consider – and this is the most important totle in the women’s game external the grand slams. Here’s hoping for one final push from both women.
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Source: theguardian.com