Petrova Powers Pasts Radwanska to Win Tokyo

An unpredictable final proved a fitting end to a wild week in Tokyo as Nadia Petrova claimed her 12th career title.

By Erik Gudris

(September 29, 2012) -- After dealing with an back injury at the start of the event and then finding herself almost out of the tournament a few days ago, Nadia Petrova staged one last comeback to upset defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska to claim the Toray Pan Pacific Open title in Tokyo.

Though Petrova had not played Radwanska in four years, that didn't seem to matter as Petrova opened the match by breaking the defending champion's serve. The Russian, who looked relaxed as she swung away on her heavy groundstrokes, then went on to play a near flawless first set as she bombed down an ace to open up a 4-0 lead. Petrova hit 16 winners and only three unforced errors to cap off an impressive 6-0 first set.

But after Petrova missed an overhead to allow Radwanska to finally get on the scoreboard in the second set, the momentum shifted over to Polish No.1's side. As errors creeped into the Russian's game, it was Radwanska who played stellar tennis especially on her serve. Up 5-1, Radwanska reeled off three aces in a row en route to closing out the set 6-1.

The final set saw both women settle into a tight contest as Petrova struggled but then held serve for 1-0. Serving became the key factor for both players especially Petrova who continued to hit untimely errors but stayed even with Radwanska for 3-all.

But at 4-3, two costly back to back double faults from Radwanska gave Petrova a break point that she capitalized on with a backhand winner. Petrova showed no doubt as she jumped out to a 40-0 lead on her service game and on her second match point, Petrova hit a forehand winner to seal a 6-0, 1-6, 6-3 upset win.

The victory capped off a stellar week for Petrova who defeated three top 10 players in a row in one event for the time including Sara Errani, Sam Stosur, and then Radwanska along with earning the Russian her second title of 2012 and 12th overall in her career.

"This is the biggest tournament I've ever won. It's a great accomplishment," said Petrova. "And at the beginning of the tournament I definitely didn't expect to win the title, because of the back injury I've been struggling with. I'm so happy to be here right now."

Americans Racquel Kops-Jones and Abigail Spears won their second straight doubles title in two weeks in Tokyo 6-1, 6-4 over Anna-Lena Groenefeld and Kveta Peschke.