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SHENZHEN, China, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- World No. 3 Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland faltered in the quarterfinal of the WTA Shenzhen Open, losing to last year runner-up Alison Riske of the United States 6-2, 3-6, 6-0 here on Thursday.
Thus, the top seed Radwanska failed to make the semifinals, and also broke the tradition of the tournament where all top-seeded players became the eventual champions annually during the past four editions.
After both players split the first two sets, eighth-seed Riske who lost to Radwanska 6-3, 6-2 in the final of last year, kept her best form in the decider, sweeping the Pole six games against nil for her sweet revenge and booking a spot in the semifinal.
"It was an up-and-down match and I just focused on the next point, and tried to play point by point," said the 39th-ranked Riske on court.
The defending champion had a slow start into the match as she was broken three times and lagged behind 5-0. After she broke back in the 6th and held her own to manage for 5-2, Riske took the set 6-2 with a forehand winner.
The top seed found her momentum by breaking Riske twice for a 4-0 lead into the second set, and levelled the scoreboard with a fantastic lob in the ninth game which forced Riske to return into the net.
"I think she was really playing very solid tennis from the begin to the end. She hit the ball well and served well, and very consistent. So, of course, here is my first tournament, obviously it is disappointing when you lose but hope that a good lesson for the next tournament," the Pole told the press briefing.
