Radwanska, Wickmayer Prevail in Auckland Semis

Though both semifinal matches at the ASB Classic featured several plot twists and unforced errors galore, it was the top seeds who prevailed to reach the finals.

By Erik Gudris

(January 3, 2013) -- Yanina Wickmayer and Agnieszka Radwanska both won their semifinal matches at the ASB Classic in Auckland and will face each other in Saturday's final.

To borrow a line from a hit song, Wickmayer found love in a hopeless place. In this case, reaching her third final at the ASB Classic in Auckland.

The Belgian, seeded third at this week's event -- a warm-up for the Australian Open -- faced off against No. 8 seed Mona Barthel in the first semi. Barthel got off to a slow start and it was the 21 unforced errors from the German that allowed Wickmayer to seal the first set 6-4.

But after Wickmayer double faulted to give Barthel an early break in the second set, the frustrated Belgian complained to her coach during a changeover: "It's hopeless! It's hopeless!" Though her coach gently reminded her she was up a set, perhaps the frustrated Wickmayer knew what she was talking about. She dropped serve two more times, including tossing in another double fault at set point, to hand Barthel the set 6-1.

Both women cleaned up their games in the final set and stayed even with each other right up until the deciding tiebreak. It was there that Barthel blinked first. At 1-2, Barthel hit back to back nervous double faults that helped pad Wickmayer's lead. A final forehand from Wickmayer helped her clinch the 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(3) victory that sends her back to the Auckland finals for a third time, having won the event in 2010.

Radwanska Endures Roller Coaster Semi Against Hampton in Auckland

Though top seed Agnieszka Radwanska had won all three previous meetings against Jaime Hampton, Radwanska probably expected a tough fight and she got one. The Polish star was not at her best throughout the first set while Hampton forced the issue with attacking play. But Hampton herself committed a whopping 40 unforced errors alone in the first set that allowed Radwanska to stay even.

Hampton held a set point on her serve at 5-4, but a nervy double fault eventually allowed Radwanska to break and soon force a tiebreak that she claimed seven points to four.

Radwanska raced ahead to a 4-0 lead in the second set before Hampton found her groove again as she peppered the lines with winners from both sides. Hampton caught up to Radwanska and soon another tiebreak was needed. But in the end, Hampton couldn't keep the error count down as she sent a final backhand wide to give Radwanska the 7-6(4), 7-6(3) win.

Both women are tied 1-1 in their head to head with Radwanska winning their last meeting at Roland Garros two years ago.

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ASB CLASSIC

Auckland, New Zealand
December 31 - January 5, 2013
$235,000/WTA International
Surface: Hard/Outdoors

Tournament Website: ASB Classic | Live Scores | Draws | TV Schedule

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ASB CLASSIC RESULTS -- FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2013

Results – Friday, January 4, 2013
Singles – Semifinals
(1) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) d. Jamie Hampton (USA) 76(4) 76(3)
(3) Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) d. (8) Mona Barthel (GER) 64 16 76(3)

Doubles – Semifinals
(1) Goerges/Shvedova (GER/KAZ) d. Coin/Pelletier (FRA/CAN) 64 61

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ASB CLASSIC ORDER OF PLAY -- SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

Center Court (from 12.00hrs)
1. Doubles Final: Goerges/Shvedova vs. Black/Rodionova
2. Singles Final: Agnieszka Radwanska vs. Yanina Wickmayer (NB 14.00hrs)

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Tournament Website: ASB Classic | Live Scores | Draws | TV Schedule

(Photo Credit:ASB Classic)