Friday 28 October 2011

Istanbul Day 4 - Kvitova wins, brave Radwanska out

Agnieszka Radwanska was tumbled out of the YEC by Petra Kvitova after a 7-6 6-3 loss, but she can hold her head high after a terrific week in Istanbul. Radwanska gave everything and i'm disappointed she has been eliminated because her three matches were probably the most entertaining over the whole week. Radwanska looked to be on her way to the Semis after racing into a 5-1 lead against the wayward Kvitova. Kvitova was totally lost early on even heading to the changeovers when the game wasn't over - this prompted a laugh from both Kvitova and her coaches! But to her credit, Kvitova played this match like any other match and dug in, her shots started going in and she managed to pull the set out. She continued to dominate in the second set but it was never easy as Radwanska continued to soldier on.


Azarenka's performance was on a completely different level to Kvitova's as she tanked the end of her match to hand Bartoli a 5-7 6-4 6-4 victory. Azarenka did well to turn around a 4-0 deficit in the first set using some stunning slower angled shots, but increasingly became disinterested in the match as Bartoli continued to battle on. It was disappointing to see from Vika and she got booed at the end of the match. I can understand she doesn't want to waste energy for tomorrow's matches but it is disrespectful to the fans who have paid good money to see this match even if nothing essentially rides on it. She really needs to sort her attitude out... In the other match, Sam Stosur totally destroyed Li Na, 6-1 6-0. Li just could not handle Stosur who I still felt was a little short of her best but was simply not challenged. This match-up is just a terrible one for Li!

I'm looking forward to the semi-finals, which will see Petra Kvitova play Sam Stosur and Victoria Azarenka play Vera Zvonareva. Kvitova against Stosur should be a stunner; their match-up at the Australian Open earlier this year was a high quality match so i'm expecting a lot from two of the nicest women on tour. The other Semi will be interesting too - where on earth will Vera be mentally after her shocker last night against Radwanska?!?!?!?!?! Should be a good day, still expecting an Azarenka v Kvitova final but its not clear cut for sure... look out for the review blog on Sunday :)))

Predictions:
Kvitova to beat Stosur in 2 sets
Azarenka to beat Zvonareva in 3 sets

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