Beijing: Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska celebrated her rise to the top four of the world rankings with a 6-3 6-2 thumping of Alison Riske in the Shenzhen Open final yesterday, her 18th WTA career title.
Radwanska had ensured she will replace Russian world number four Maria Sharapova in Monday’s rankings by reaching the final of the tournament in China and backed that up with a routine victory over her American opponent.
“I think Alison was really playing solid tennis today,” Radwanska told reporters. “She has a very powerful game from the baseline -- I was really struggling from the baseline.
“I was really in a lot of trouble there.
“But my serve really helped me today. Also, in the deciding points, I was a little bit better and I think that’s why the score was the way it was -- it made it look easier than the actual match was.”
The Pole did not drop a set in her run to the title and Saturday’s triumph will increase her confidence ahead of the Australian Open which starts on January 18.