Success for younger Radwanska in Stanford
Success for younger Radwanska in Stanford
Poland's Urszula Radwanska took a leaf out of her older
sister Agnieszka's book by delivering a battling 3-6 6-3 6-4 win over
Eleni Daniilidou in the first round of the Stanford Classic on Tuesday.
Urszula had to watch her older sister contest the Wimbledon final on television on Saturday, and while it was an emotional
day watching the new world number two lose to Serena Williams in three
sets, it did not deter her from own task on Tuesday.
She struggled for most of the match against the veteran
Daniilidou, but in the end was the more aggressive and accurate player
on the big points.
The 20-year-old will face eighth seed Marina Erakovic
in the second round after the New Zealander beat Jana Juricova of
Slovakia 6-2 6-2.
"It was a very tough match," Radwanska said. "I played
her in Tashkent and it was also 6-4 in the third set. I was trying to be
solid and attack her backhand and hold my serve.
"She plays more like a man with a big serve and big forehand and a slice backhand."
Radwanska, who reached a career high ranking of No. 54
last month, is a more aggressive player than her older sister, who
relies more on guile and speed to win matches. Urszula mixed in some
serve and volley with her baseline game.
"My dad always said in important moments to serve and
go to the net and the girls will be surprised, they won't know what to
do," she said.
Urszula said it had been an emotional day watching her older sister lose in her first Grand Slam final.
"I wish I could have been there with her, but I have my
own career and had to come here," she said. "When she cried, I started
crying. It was emotional. She's usually not that emotional. On court
usually she's serious, a poker face and not showing emotions at all."
Romanian Sorana Cirstea also advanced on Tuesday, beating American Vania King 7-5 6-4.
Nicole Gibbs, who plays at Stanford University,
overcame Noppawan Lertcheewakarn of Thailand 6-4 6-4 and will face top
seed and Wimbledon champion Serena Williams on Wednesday.
Gibbs' doubles partner, Mallory Burdette, defeated Britain's Anne Keothavong 2-6 7-5 6-4.
