Dubai: Agnieszka Radwanska’s recent form has seen her emerge as one of the favourites to win the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships title next week. The 2012 Dubai champion has arguably the best record of any player in the last few months, and she will carry her sky-high confidence into what will be a star-studded event featuring many other members of the world’s top 10.
Radwanska’s sensational run began after a disappointing third round loss to Madison Keys at the US Open. She won the title in Tokyo during a week that included victory over 2015 Dubai runner-up Karolina Pliskova and exciting young Swiss Belinda Bencic. Then two weeks later she reached the semi-finals in Beijing and the following week she lifted another trophy in Tianjin.
Her greatest triumph came in Singapore when she claimed one of the biggest prizes in women’s tennis as she closed out the 2015 season by sweeping all the way to the title at the WTA Finals in Singapore, by beating top seed Simona Halep, Wimbledon runner-up Garbiñe Muguruza and two-time Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova.
She then carried her success into the 2016 season, climbing further to fourth in the world after beginning the year by claiming her 18th career title in Shenzhen and then going on to reach the semi-finals of the Australian Open.
“Agnieszka Radwanska first played at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships as a qualifier in 2007, and she has long been a fan favourite,” said Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman of Dubai Duty Free. “She won the title four years ago and has continued to be one of the most talented and entertaining players on the WTA Tour. It would be fitting if she could celebrate her 10th visit here by re-capturing her title.”
The Pole star has earned enough admiration for her ability to confound the opposition with her mobility and amazing tactical awareness. “I think this is always great to hear, especially from those kind of players like Andy Murray or the other girls,” she said.
“I think this is a big respect, so I just have to appreciate it. It’s always very nice compliments when I can hear that my tennis is smart or very entertaining. Each time I’m very happy to hear that.”
“Agnieszka Radwanska clearly has what it takes to repeat her run to the title here,” said tournament director Salah Tahlak, “and she would once again be a popular champion. It will be very interesting to see if she can continue her excellent form against so much top-class opposition.”
Play in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships begins with the WTA event, which takes place between February 15-20 and also features world number one Serena Williams, Wimbledon finalist Garbine Muguruza, former world number ones Ana Ivanovic, Caroline Wozniacki and Jelena Jankovic, and top teenager Belinda Bencic.
