Radwanska and Li win season openers

 

Originally published on: 07/01/13 00:00

The Pole didn’t drop a set on her way to an 11th WTA title at the ASB Classic, beating Greta Arn, Simona Halep, Elena Vesnina and Jamie Hampton before outlasting Belgian Yanina Wickmayer in the final 6-4, 6-4.

“It’s the perfect preparation for the Australian Open,” Radwanska said after her first ever win in Australia. “I couldn’t imagine a better start to the year. The conditions were difficult, but I had a really good week anyway. I played five good matches without dropping a set. I hope I can play some good tennis over the next few weeks, in Sydney as well as in Melbourne.”

After three Australian Open quarter-finals, the world No.4 says she is aiming to ‘go one more step to the semi-finals’ when the first Slam of the year gets underway in Melbourne Park.

China’s Li Na also had a victorious weekend, winning her seventh WTA title and second on home soil at the Shenzhen Longgang Gemdale Open. The world No.7 edged out Klara Zakopalova 6-3, 1-6, 7-5 in two hours and four minutes.

"Winning the title certainly helps boost my confidence for the coming weeks, but it also depends on how I'm playing on the courts. Confidence itself won't guarantee a win. But I'm very happy to win.”

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