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Radwanska To Face Zvonareva In Tokyo Final
By Lauren Lynch Photo Credit: Mark Peterson/ Corleve
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(September 30, 2011) Now in line for the No. 2 spot in the world again, Vera Zvonareva will attempt her third title over the last twelve months at the Toray Pan Pacific Open.
Seeded-Fourth, the Russian was able to oust Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova 7-6(2), 6-0 in 90 minutes. She won 58 percent of total service and return points.
She hit seven of eight double faults in the first set and was able to come back from being down 5-1 and fought off three set points. She took the second set with a bagel.
"I don't even remember being down 5-1 in the first set! I wasn't really thinking about it at all. I was just trying to find my rhythm - I couldn't find it in the beginning, and she was playing really well. But I slowly got into the match, making the shots I usually make. Then I was able to turn it around,” said Zvonareva.
She will face Agnieszka Radwanska in finals for the second time this year. They share two wins each over each other in their head-to-head series but the Polish player won their last face-off in Carlsbad.
The Tokyo purse is $360,000 and the runner-up at $180,000.
The ninth seed ousted the third-seed Victoria Azarenka 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 in a close match that lasted two hours and a half at a chance for her second title. She improved her wins in the last 12 months, 39 to 16 losses.
They took turns attacking each other’s serve. Radwanska broke six of 14 attempts while Azarenka converted only four of 14 chances. Azarenka lost in the singles and doubles semifinal.
On Facebook, the Pole said, "I'm in the finals!!!!!!!!!! Wow! Did it again!"
Zvonareva and Radwanska will clash at the 1:00 pm final tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the doubles finals will be players but the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the world.
Recent US Open champions, Liezel Huber and Lisa Raymond, take on the second-ranked Flavia Pennetta and Gisela Dulko on a winning streak.
"The first couple of matches this week, we just went out there and continued our play from the US Open," Raymond said. "That's kind of what our goal was. Let's just get right back out there and pick up where we left off in New York. Obviously, it's unfortunate what happened to Vika today. You never want to win any kind of match on a retirement."
Azarenka was forced to withdraw with a right Achilles injury she incurred while practicing.
In the semifinals, Azareanka and Maria Kirilenko, the fourth seed in the tournament, retired at 1-2 in the first set against the American duo. Dulko and Pennetta defeated former Wimbledon champions and the third seed Vania King 4-6, 6-3, 10-8.
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