By Chris Oddo | Friday, January 8, 2016

 

Aga Radwanska leapfrogged Maria Sharapova and into the No. 4 Australian Open seed by reaching the Shenzhen final.

Photo Source: Shenzhen Open

Agnieszka Radwanska reached the Shenzhen Open final with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Anna-Lena Friedsam on Friday to assure a rise past Maria Sharapova and into the No. 4 slot when next week’s WTA rankings are released on Monday. The timing of Radwanska’s rise is particularly important because it guarantees the Pole a top-four seeding at next week’s Australian Open.

Radwanska cruised through the first set against the 21-year-old German, dropping just four points on serve and converting both break points she saw.

Friedsam battled back from 2-0 down to level at 2-all in the second set but Radwanska would break for 3-2 and hold the advantage the rest of the way.

Radwanska has now won 21 of her last 25 matches.

American Alison Riske will be Radwanska’s opponent in the final. The 25-year-old scored a 6-2, 6-4 win over Timea Babos of Hungary to reach her second career final.

Radwanska owns a 1-0 lifetime edge over Riske, having defeated her at Indian Wells last season.