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Agnieszka Radwanska. Photo by Getty |
Yanina Wickmayer will meet Agnieszka Radwanska in tomorrow's
final of the ASB Classic after the pair overcame their
opponents and difficult conditions at Stanley St today.
Wickmayer, the tournament's third seed, beat eighth seed Mona
Barthel 6-4 1-6 7-6 in one hour 47 minutes. Radwanska, the
top seed and world No 4, was three minutes quicker in
defeating Jamie Hampton in straight sets 7-6 (4) 7-6 (3).
It will be a fitting conclusion to the ASB Classic because
Wickmayer and Radwanska have been the two best players at
this tournament. But it will be a contrast of styles with the
hard-hitting Wickmayer coming up against the guile of
Radwanska.
Both have come under pressure - Wickmayer was blown off the
court in the second set of her match - but both have relied
on their experience to progress. Both semifinals today were
played in blustery conditions.
Wickmayer will play her third ASB Classic final in four years
- she won in 2010 - but had to withstand a withering assault
from Barthel. The lanky German used her big serve and
groundstrokes to good effect but crumbled towards the end of
the match, sending down two double faults in the final-set
tiebreaker to hand Wickmayer the initiative.
Radwanska looked on course to cruise into the final when she
led 7-6 4-0 but Hampton stormed back into the match to level
at 4-4. The American is something of a hot-and-cold player
who is prone to momentum swings, and it seemed inevitable
Radwanska's greater poise and experience would see her
prevail.
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