Maria Sharapova bowed out of the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global with her head held high after a battling back to defeat a determined Agnieszka Radwanska, 7-5, 6-7(4), 6-2.
Before the match, Sharapova knew she had to win in straight sets to have any chance of escaping the group, and for a few tantalizing moments it looked like she might just do it. However, in the end she was left ruing missed opportunities and her opponent's fighting spirit. After taking a close opening set, Sharapova forged 5-1 ahead in the second. Usually so clinical, she was unable to find the knockout blow, Radwanska clawing her way back into the set - and saving three match points - before levelling the contest on a tie-break. Any thoughts that Sharapova would just roll over after this crushing disappointment were quickly quashed.
The Russian came out for the decider with the bit between her teeth, finally getting across the line with two flashing winners that even Radwanska could not track down. A few hours later, Caroline Wozniacki defeated Petra Kvitova, 6-2, 6-3, to ensure that Radwanska's second set heroics were not in vain.
Despite having the same win-loss record as Kvitova and Sharapova, Radwanska advances to the semifinals by virtue of winning more sets.
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