By Erik Gudris | Saturday, April 18, 2015

 

Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska overcame a spirited first set from Swiss great Martina Hingis to give her team an opening lead in Fed Cup.

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In a highly anticipated opening Fed Cup rubber, Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska overcame Martina Hingis of Switzerland to give her team an opening lead in their World Group playoff.

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The surprise nomination of the 34-year-old Hingis for singles play meant the Radwanska meeting would be first competitive singles match for the former World No. 1 since 2007. Hingis has enjoyed much success in WTA doubles of late while Radwanska has struggled this season and entered this match feeling the pressure to emerge as the winner. Radwanska did win their only previous meeting back in Miami also in 2007.

Early on, both women pressed each other in multiple baseline rallies with Hingis displaying the fine on-court placement that earned her five Grand Slam singles titles. Each broke the other player at love as the first set proved too close to call.

Hingis fought to hold her serve in an extended eighth game that proved key. Radwanska hit a perfect backhand overhead to create a break point than Hingis saved with an overhead winner of her own. But Hingis would net facing another break point giving Radwanska a 5-3 lead.

Radwanska failed to serve out the set though giving Hingis an opportunity to extend matters. Though Hingis led 40-15, Radwanska rallied and soon held set point. Radwanska up at net carved a fine drop shot winner that Hingis couldn't chase down giving her the set 6-4.

The second set was soon all about Radwanska as she lifted her game. Taking an early lead for 2-0, the Polish No. 1 soon hit her first ace of the match to extend her advantage to 3-0.

A frustrated Hingis couldn't keep up her high level from the first set and soon found herself behind 5-0. Seeking to end things with a flourish, Radwanska found herself at match point in the next game. With a potent backhand return winner, Radwanska sealed the 6-4, 6-0 win.

In the second singles rubber, Switzerland's Timea Bacsinszky easily defeated Urszula Radwanska of Poland 6-2, 6-1. That result leveled the tie at 1-all heading into Sunday.