(Sports)4th seed Radwanska cruises through dangerous second-round matchup
Xinhua, January 20, 2016 Adjust font size:
Fourth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska has breezed through her second-round danger match at the Australian Open on Wednesday evening, defeating the unranked Eugenie Bouchard in straight sets.
Bouchard, a semi-finalist in Melbourne and finalist at Wimbledon, was ranked as high as Number 5 before she suffered a serious concussion at the U.S. Open last year.
Playing in just her fourth tournament since sustaining the injury, the Canadian was just a step behind the Pole, who wrapped up the match in one hour and 23 minutes, 6-4, 6-2.
Radwanska has made the quarterfinal stage five times in her career at Melbourne Park, and said post-match that facing Bouchard was a tough test so early in the tournament.
"There is always someone in the draw not seeded that you normally play in the second round or even first round," Radwanska said at her press conference.
"Of course, she's one of those players that should have ranking. She is very dangerous in the draw."
Radwanska said mentally preparing for tough matches earlier at the Open forces the top players to show good form early.
"It was a great chance for me... I was really prepared for that match. I knew it wasn't going to be easy," she said.
"I had to play good tennis today."
Radwanska will face either qualifier Kristyna Pliskova or upset up-and-coming Monica Puig on Friday. Endit