By Adrianna Outlaw | Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Agnieszka Radwanska beat Petra Kvitova to reach her fourth semifinal of the season in Indian Wells.
Photo credit: Jared Wickerham/BNP Paribas Open
A revitalized Agnieszka Radwanska continued her 2016 tear rolling into her fourth semifinal of the season.
Radwanska countered shrewdly scoring a 6-2, 7-6 (3) victory over eighth-seeded Petra Kvitova to reach the Indian Wells final four for the second time in the last three years.
More: Goffin Upsets Wawrinka in Wild One
It was a dual celebration for Radwanska, who is projected to return to world No. 2 when the new WTA rankings are released on Monday.
"It's always a good feeling to be back in this position," Radwanska said of regaining the second spot in the rankings. "I wasn't long last time, but I think that was a few years ago. It's always good to be back in that position. Now it's difficult to be No. 1."
Radwanska rallied from 2-5 down in the second set then took charge in the tie breaker.
"I had couple of matches, good matches going to that quarter," Radwanska said. "I really felt good. I remember our last match, and it's never easy against Petra.
"I think I was playing great tennis from the beginning and I really want to win that one. I was fighting for each ball. Of course 5-2 down in the second set is never easy, but I was talking on the court already that I had some experience with that this tournament. Just one break, so I'm just very happy that I would be able to come back, because third set with Petra is never easy, as well."
The third-seeded Radwanska will face either world No. 1 Serena Williams or 2015 BNP Paribas Open champion Simona Halep in the semifinals. Williams thrashed Radwanska, 6-0, 6-4, in the Australian Open semifinals earlier this season.
Since edging Dominika Cibulkova, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, in her opener, Radwanska has been on a roll.
She swept former No. 1 Jelena Jankovic, 6-3, 6-3, in the fourth round and played with more purpose and control than Kvitova today.
Radwanska, who opened the season claiming her 18th career title in Shenzhen, raised her record to 17-2 on the season.
Reclaiming the second spot has given Radwanska cause to consider taking over at the top.
"There is always opportunity, but it's not about one or two tournaments," Radwanska said. "To be No. 1 you really have to play the whole season very good, and obviously catch Serena. But she is also playing very good tennis and she will want to play good and be there at No. 1.
"Well, I will try my best, and now I have the opportunity that I'm definitely not really defending much points till the grass, so, well, that's definitely my spot that I can do that. We'll see if I can."