By Erik Gudris | Saturday, August 27, 2016
Agnieszka Radwanska held off Elina Svitolina in a second set tiebreak to win her 19th career WTA title in New Haven.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Top seed Agnieszka Radwanska started strong but then had to battle late before claiming her 19th career WTA title at the Connecticut Open in New Haven.
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“It’s always very special,” Radwanska said just after the win to ESPN’s Renee Stubbs on her 19th title. “I was serving for the match and then everything turned around and I was two set points down. But that’s tennis. Anything can happen. I’m so glad I could come back and have that success.”
Radwanska, who enters next week’s US Open as the No. 4 seed, faced off in Saturday’s final against Elina Svitolina.
The top seeded Radwanska, who dominated defending champion Petra Kvitova in their semifinal, continued her strong form early in the opening set. Radwanska raced out to a 5-0 lead thanks to her trademark mixture of spins and slices.
Soon enough, Radwanska wrapped up the set 6-1.
Things would not be as easy for Radwanska, in the second set. Svitolina, who upset Serena Williams at the Rio Summer Games, reset her own game. Svitolina bounced back to quickly take a 2-0 lead.
Radwanska broke back soon enough and eventually leveled at 2-all. Radwanska found herself having to match Svitolina from the baseline in several lung-busting rallies. Yet, Radwanska would earn a key break to serve for the match up 5-4 after Svitolina netted a forehand on break point.
That lead evaporated though as Radwanska tightened up serving for the title. Radwanska netted a forehand of her own to put Svitolina level at 5-all.
Radwanska faced more trouble trying to serve herself into a tiebreak. Radwanska fell behind 15-40 giving Svitolina two set points. But Radwanska managed to save both and soon forced that tiebreak.
It was there Radwanska reassumed control. Radwanska, with a wnning forehand passing shot off a short volley from Svitolina, took the early mini-break. From there, Radwanska never looked back.
On match point, Svitolina netted a final backhand. With that, Radwanska celebrated the 6-1, 7-6(3) victory.
New Haven is now the second title of 2016 and 19th overall for Radwanska. The Polish No. 1, as a result of winning New Haven, also clinched the US Open Series points race.