Radwanska launches defence of Dubai title
PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge
21.02.2013 14:26
Defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska defeated Kazakhstani challenger Yulia Putintseva 7-5, 6-3 in her first match of the Dubai Tennis Championships.
Agnieszka Radwanska serves to Yulia Putintseva: photo - EPA/Ali Haider
Radwanska had been given a bye into the second round, but the first set turned out to be a decidedly wobbly start for the World No.4, with Radwanska losing three of her first four service games.
However, her experience soon got the better of her younger rival, and she managed to wrap up the set 7-5.
Putintseva was allowed little chance to come back in the second, with Radwanska keeping firm control.
As far as the overall title is concerned, the odds are in Radwanska's favour if she can continue to improve her game, as arch-rivals Victoria Azarenka and Serena Williams have both had to drop out of the tournament owing to injury.
The Pole is now the top-seeded player in the event. (nh)