Saturday, 27 July 2013 00:00
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STANFORD, Calif.: Agnieszka Radwanska used to practice outside in Poland during the winter, dodging behind buildings to keep the wind from becoming a problem.
That determination helped make her one of the toughest competitors on tour, and she demonstrated that Wednesday night in a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Francesca Schiavone in the second round of the Bank of the West Classic. “While I was going to school I practiced at 7:30 when there was still ice on the ground,’’ Radwanska said. “It was like this for years with the difficult conditions. I can certainly appreciate the good conditions.” Radwanska, the No. 1 seed in the event and ranked No. 4 in the world, won for the 10th time in her last 13 matches to improve to 34-10 this year. She won a career-high 59 matches last season. “It’s always fun to play Francesca because she has a good touch and tricky shots,” said Radwanska, who enjoys utilising her own selection of trick shots.
“The serve was not the key in this match at all. I think we were both struggling. I had to find a different way to win.”
Radwanska, who simply outlasted her opponent, continues to train in Poland so she can have a chance to “lead a normal life for a few days. I appreciate being home.” Italy’s Schiavone, ranked 59th, entered the event on a three-match skid, but beat former Stanford All-American Mallory Burdette in her first match.
Radwanska beat Schiavone a fourth straight time to even the series at 4-4. They were playing for the first time in two years.
