Radwanska, Petrova to fight for Pan Pacific Open title

By Liu Shiwen

TOKYO, Japan (TheSportsNEXT) September 29, 2012: Defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska and Nadia Petrova won their respective semi-final clashes at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo on Friday to set up a mouth-watering final to be played Saturday.

Agnieszka Radwanska outclassed Angelique Kerber by 6-1 6-1 while Russian Nadia Petrova stunned Australia Samantha Stosur by 6-4 6-2 to enter her first final at the WTA premier five event in Tokyo.

In the first semi-final, Agnieszka Radwanska wasted no time in pulverizing Angelique Kerber and despite of wrapping herself in taping at arms, neck, and shoulders she she put on exhibition tremendous form to maul a less-experienced opponent.

Talking to reporters after her victory, Agnieszka Radwanska said, "Even if it was 6-1 6-1 I had to run a lot to win that match”.

"The games were long so I started to try something different, mixing my game up. It worked. I'm just happy I could play my best tennis", she added.

It is merit mentioning here that Radwanska has this week qualified for the season-ending WTA Championships in Turkish city of Istanbul. She is the fourth player to qualify for the Istanbul event and four other sports are still up for grabs.

In the second semi-final, Nadia Petrova showed big heart as she posted yet another upset at the Pan Pacific Open 2012 with eighth seeded Samantha Stosur of Australia becoming her latest victim.

Nobody had expected such a one-sided semi-final clash, especially in Nadia Petrova’s favor.

Nadia Petrova, who is chasing her second title of the WTA Season 2012, came into the match with a 5-3 career advantage over Samantha Stosur and she took little time to extend her record to 6-3 over the former US Open champion.

Samantha Stosur looked out of sorts completely as she consistently committed unforced errors and could last for only an hour and 47 minutes.

However, Nadia Petrova showed great respect for her Australian opponent when she told reporters, "Sam is a tough opponent. She has a huge serve, a huge forehand. You have to be alert, you have to play your best tennis and I was able to accomplish that."

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Maria Sharapova labors into Pan Pacific Open 3rd round

By Liu Shewin

TOKYO, Japan (TheSportsNEXT) September 25, 2012: World number two woman tennis player Maria Sharapova of Russia was made to work hard for victory in her second round match of the Pan Pacific Open as British qualifier Heather Watson stretched the match to three sets in Tokyo on Tuesday.

 

After losing the first set by 6-7, former world number one player stormed her way back to form and won the next two sets by 6-3 6-4 to reach last 16 round of the tournament.

Talking to reporters after winning the match, Maria Sharapova said, ''I was facing someone who had gone through (qualifying) and already played so I was definitely the rustier of the two. Overall, it was just one of those matches where you are glad to be through”.

Maria Sharapova is bidding for her third Tokyo title here after winning the Pan Pacific Open crown in 2005 and 2009.

The next opponent for Maria Sharapova is Lucie Safarova of Czech Republic who got a walk over after her opponent Klara Zakopalova of Czech Republic was unable to play because of a left wrist injury.

When asked about Safarova, Maria Sharapova said, “She's a tough player. She had a break today with the walkover while I played three hours but hopefully that won't be a factor”.

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Victoria Azarenka cruises into last-16 in Pan Pacific Open

By Liu Shiwen

TOKYO, Japan (TheSportsNEXT) September 25, 2012: World number one Victoria Azarenka needed only 63 minutes to win her second round match at the Pan Pacific Open on Tuesday.

Azarenka defeated Tamira Paszek of Austria by 6-1 6-1 to enter the third round of the tournament.

In another match, Li Na of China shrugged off a nasty cough to defeat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia by 7-5 4-6 6-2.

Sara Errani of Italy also enjoyed victorious day in Tokyo as she got the better of Johanna Larsson of Sweden by 6-3 7-6 to set date with Marion Bartoli of France who beat Julia Goerges of Germany by 6-2 7-5.

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