Radwanska defeated in Dubai quarter-finals

Agnieszka Radwanska on the ropes against Kvitova: photo - EPA/Ali Haider

The Czech challenger broke Radwanska's serve in the first game, setting the tone for how the rest of the match would follow.

Kwitova broke Radwanska's serve four times in the first set and was able to steam through the whole match in just eighty minutes.

Although Radwanska is currently ranked higher than her Czech rival (No.4 to Kvitova's No.8), the Krakow-born star has a poor record against Kvitova, only winning one of the last four matches they have played against each other.

The Czech will now play Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki in the semis.

“I think to beat Agnieszka here it means something more because she's defending champion,” Kvitova told the Associated Press.

“So that's a good sign for me,” she said.

Radwanska ended up playing just two matches at the tournament, having been given a bye straight into the second round.

Meanwhile, there was better tennis news for Poland over in France at the Marseille Open, where Jerzy Janowicz beat home player Julien Benneteau 7-6, 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals. (nh)