By Erik Gudris | Saturday, April 23, 2016
German qualifier Laura Siegemund upset top seed Agnieszka Radwanska to reach her first ever WTA final in Stuttgart.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
It’s not often that a player puts on a drop shot clinic against Agnieszka Radwanska. But that’s what happened Saturday as German qualifier Laura Siegemund booked her place in the Porsche Grand Tennis Prix final in Stuttgart.
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Siegemund entered the semifinal against top seeded Radwanska having not dropped a set all week. That included upset wins over No. 4 seed Simona Halep and No. 6 seed Roberta Vinci.
But could the 28-year-old German keep up her momentum against the crafty Radwanska? Early on, it looked like the current World No. 2 would have the upper hand.
Radwanska earned the first break of the match with a crosscourt forehand winner for 3-1. Radwanska then held a point to go up 4-1 on her serve before an umpire ruling forced the point to be replayed. Siegemund went on to win the game and slowly started to get into the match.
Siegemund, using an effective combination of good serving, potent power, and stellar touch, would break Radwanska later and take the lead for 4-3.
The German then ripped a backhand passing shot winner under pressure for 5-3. Siegemund, not showing any nerves playing in her first WTA semifinal, soon served out the set 6-4 thanks to an impressive drop shot winner.
A rattled Radwanska couldn’t figure out how to best counter the German as they entered the second set. Siegemund enjoyed another early break of serve thanks to another backhand winner.
Siegemund, who served an impressive 90% on the day, struck her first ace for 2-0.
The German took control later in the set up 3-1. After holding five break points, Siegemund used a combination of a slice forehand then a forehand winner to break again for 4-1.
Though Radwanska would get one of the breaks back, it was too late for her to halt the German. Siegemund soon served for the match at 5-2.
The German climbed out to 40-0 thanks to a smash winner. On match point, she hit a final well-timed backhand winner to seal the upset 6-4, 6-2 victory.
The home crowd rose to their feet to give Siegemund a standing ovation in celebration of what would be an all-German final, the first in event history.
Siegemund hit 34 winners and only 17 unforced errors in her winning effort.
Waiting for her in the final will be defending champion Angelique Kerber. The No. 2 Kerber earlier defeated Petra Kvitova in three sets.