By Erik Gudris | Saturday, April 12, 2014

 

France's Alize Cornet survived a topsy-turvy semifinal to upset top seed and local favorite Agnieszka Radwanska in Katowice.

Photo Credit: AP

Local favorite and top seed Agnieszka Radwanska won't enjoy a winning homecoming as she found herself upset in the BNP Paribas Katowice semifinals in Katowice, Poland.

Radwanska faced off against France's Alize Cornet in Saturday's semifinal and for a while looked poised to reach the final. That was especially true after Radwanska secured the opening set in dominant fashion 6-0.

But Cornet would respond by taking the second set 6-2 to force a deciding set. Radwanska would once again take control by surging to a 3-0 lead in the final set.

Though Radwanska held game point for a 4-0 lead, Cornet started her comeback. Leveling the set at 3-all, Cornet would soon match Radwanska at the baseline while also mixing up her shots at will. At 4-all, Cornet threw in a drop shot followed by a lob to set up a break point. With a potent smash winner on the next point, Cornet earned a 5-4 lead that allowed her to serve for the match.

Cornet celebrated the 0-6, 6-2, 6-4 win after Radwanska hit a final backhand over the baseline.

Cornet now enjoys wins over two top five players this season. Along with Radwanska, Cornet defeated World No. 1 Serena Williams in the Dubai semifinals earlier in the year.

Giorgi Into First Ever WTA Final 

Italy's Camila Giorgi will await Cornet in Sunday's final.

Giorgi took on No. 3 seed Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain in the second semifinal. After Giorgi took the opening set in a tiebreak, the Italian soon completed a 7-6(3), 6-4 win.

Katowicz is now the first career WTA final for Giorgi.