Radwanska went right to work from there, hitting the corners with her pinpoint groundstrokes more and more and capitalizing on the unforced errors that began creeping into Muguruza's game, and after two hours and 38 minutes - and some tense moments as she watched a 4-1 third set lead dissipate to 4-all - the No.5-seeded Pole finally got the better of the No.2-seeded Spaniard, 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-5.
Radwanska, who finished the match with 29 winners to 24 unforced errors, was visibly emotional afterwards, and those tears of joy continued as she spoke to the fans in her on-court interview.
"I have no words to say really," Radwanska said as the adoring crowd cheered her on.
"I didn't know if I could come back after that first set, but I think it was a great match from the beginning until the end, so many rallies and a lot of running.
I'm just so glad I could win this match in the end.
And it was exactly the same story in the second semifinal as Kvitova, 1-2, came out swinging against Sharapova, 3-0, reeling off four games in a row to capture the 42-minute opening set, 6-3.
The No.3-seeded Sharapova rebounded in a big way in the second set, storming out to a 5-1 lead, even bringing up a set point at 5-3, but the No.4-seeded Kvitova caught fire one last time, winning five of the next six games to push the set to a tie-break then taking seven of eight points from 2-0 down to close the match out in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6(3), letting out one last battle cry after match point.
"I didn't expect this, for sure," Kvitova said in her on-court interview after the match.
"I had two losses in my group, and I couldn't really believe I would play the semifinals.
And I knew Maria would be strong today - she played so well in the round robin group, so I expected a really tough match.
The unveiling of the annual Pirelli calendar, also known (and trademarked) as "The Cal", is one of the most highly anticipated releases in the industry, as it typically features top models and an all-star behind-the-scenes team of photographers, makeup artists and stylists. (Although, there's often very little clothing involved.)
It's a 12-month mix of sexiness and artistry, but this year, the Pirelli calendar is being revamped with a new class of inspirational women photographed by the legendary Annie Leibovitz.
As confirmed by Pirelli, the final lineup includes 13 female musicians, actresses, writers, models, artists, filmmakers, finance executives and philanthropists handpicked by Leibovitz: Tavi Gevinson, Serena Williams, Amy Schumer, Yoko Ono, Fran Lebowitz, Patti Smith, Natalia Vodianova, Kathleen Kennedy, Yao Chen, Mellody Hobson, Ava DuVernay, Agnes Gund and Shirin Neshat.
Natalia Vodianova
Natalia Vodianova
Serena Williams
Serena Williams
Amy Schumer
"Still not allowed to go back on the court,toe is healing but unfortunatlly not quick enough!
Working hard in the gym meantime!"
The 7-6(5), 6-1 win keeps alive Radwanska's slim chances of progressing to the semifinals, which will now rest on the outcome of the evening match between Maria Sharapova and Flavia Pennetta.
Radwanska had lost her first two matches of the tournament and her hopes of breaking this duck suffered an early setback, the World No.2 breaking in the first game and threatening to repeat the feat several times as Radwanska struggled to find her range.
The Pole, however, called on her famed retrieving skills to level up the contest before crafting two set points in the 10th game, only for Halep to fend both off courtesy of some audacious shot-making.
In the subsequent tie-break, Halep appeared in total control when she moved 5-1 ahead. Her opponent had other ideas, scurrying around the court with ever-increasing gusto to reel off six straight points, sealing the opener when Halep chipped wide at the end of a thrilling exchange.
"That tie-break was something else and I just managed to make some great points at important moments. It's very nice to hear people say my tennis is entertaining so I hope I can keep hearing people say that over and over again," Radwanska said.
Daniela Hantuchova official Keep active=stay fit
#anysport #anywhere #healthymeanshappy
Dominika Cibulkova #happiness with @hotentoth ❤️
 |
| KVITOVA AND KOTYZA |
After an out-of-sorts display against Angelique Kerber in her opening round robin match, Kvitova dug deep to see off her friend and Fed Cup teammate, 7-5, 7-5.
"I'm really glad that I was able to play and win that kind of match after my loss in the first match here," Kvitova said.
With both players struggling to make an impression on the other's serve, it was not until 40 minutes in that either saw a break point, Kvitova leaving the door ajar with her first doubles double-fault of the afternoon.
The two-time Wimbledon champion slammed it shut, finishing off an exchange of controlled aggression with a crosscourt backhand winner.
A game later Kvitova earned a couple of break points of her own. Converting at the second time of asking when she rifled a forehand onto the baseline.
Safarova, who has been plagued by injury and illness in recent months, surged into a 3-0 lead in the second set, only to see the World No.5 immediately erase the deficit.
As in the first set, it was Safrova that wilted as the tie-break loomed, erring three times on her hitherto impressive forehand to slip to defeat.
"For sure it was a difficult match. I know that Lucie wasn't really healthy weeks ago and I'm just happy that she's here as well," Kvitova added.
"It's great to have two Czechs in the WTA Finals."
Serena Williams @carowozniacki miss chica
Ana Ivanovic Stay Strong. Stay Focused.
My #mantra today and everyday.
And for the first 45 minutes this blockbuster clash was dead even, the two trading breaks en route to 4-all in the first set, but that's when Sharapova pounced, winning seven of the next eight games to build a massive 6-4, 5-1 lead.
The No.1-seeded Halep hung tough, sneaking out three games to close the gap to 5-4 in the second set, but the No.3-seeded Sharapova broke one last time to end it, 6-4, 6-4.
"It definitely got really tough," Sharapova said in her on-court interview right after the match.
"I guess those are the moments you have to get through when you haven't played in a long time, and against the No.2 player in the world these matches don't come easy. It definitely showed until the end.
"
It was Sharapova's milestone 20th career match win at the WTA Finals - she's now 20-10 at this event.
The win over the No.2-ranked Halep was also Sharapova's best win in more than a year - the last time she beat a Top 2 player was also a No.2-ranked Halep in the quarterfinals of Cincinnati last August.
Halep, now 0-6 lifetime against Sharapova, was impressed with the former World No.1's shotmaking.
"She played really well today. She did amazing shots in the most important moments in the match," the Romanian said after the match.
"Even if she didn't play for a long time, since Wimbledon, she knows how to play. She's a champion. She has experience. And she's always playing really well against me.
Dominika Cibulkova: Direction-holidays
Maria Sharapova From #Singapore with #Love
The only two other times the two met at the WTA Finals they played three-hour-plus marathons, and this one looked headed the same way, with the No.5-seeded Radwanska toughing out a 56-minute first set and, after dropping the second set, bringing up three break points for a 2-0 lead in the third.
But the No.3-seeded Sharapova never stopped fighting, saving all those break points and building a 5-2 lead, and after Radwanska closed the gap to 5-4, the Russian finally closed it out, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
It was Sharapova's first match win since Wimbledon - since leaving SW19, she had only played one match, a retirement loss in Wuhan, in between some major struggles with leg and forearm injuries.
"This is my first completed match since July, so it's a pretty big deal for me!
" Sharapova said.
"Coming into this event I did everything I could to be healthy. I just didn't quite know how my results would go. Even though I didn't play my best tennis today I still got through, and that's what matters, especially against such a tough competitor like Radwanska. We always have such close matches here.
Halep, who had lost four of five previous meetings with Pennetta - including a 59-minute stunner in the semifinals in Flushing Meadows - turned it around completely in Singapore on Sunday afternoon, racing through the first set at love in just 25 minutes and, after staying on serve through the first seven games of the second set, getting one last break of serve for 5-3 before serving the match out.
The No.1-seeded Halep closed out the No.7-seeded Pennetta in an hour and 10 minutes, 6-0, 6-3.
"I started the match really well. I played my best in the first set, fast, smart and aggressive," Halep said in her on-court interview. "I was really enjoying the match today. I was really happy to be back here.
"It became a tough match, though. Every match here is like the final of a Grand Slam - I played the semifinals with Flavia in the US Open. I knew she'd play better and the second set was much tougher."
Ana Ivanovic Loving the autumn weather and my @isabelmarant boots.
#Classic #Fashion #Fall #StreetStyle
Maria Sharapova Just keeping it casual in @dolcegabbana.
(L-R) Luc Decroix, VP of Global Sales, TAG Heuer, Maria Sharapova, Amelia Sillard, VP, TAG Heuer South East Asia and Michael Chang pose for a photo on court during the Maria Sharapova Exhibition Match at Clifford Pier, Fullerton Bay Hotel
October 23, 2015 Singapore
Speed painting artist, Michael Raivard (L) high-five with Maria Sharapova after the speed painting contest infused with gold dust during the Maria Sharapova Exhibition Match at Clifford Pier, Fullerton Bay Hotel.
October 2015. Singapore.
The official draw ceremony for the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore 2015. The best pics
The official draw ceremony for the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore 2015. The best pics
The eight competitors at the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global were divided up into their two round robin groups at the draw ceremony on Friday, with play set to begin at the $7-million event on Sunday.
RED GROUP: HALEP, SHARAPOVA, RADWANSKA, PENNETTA
WHITE GROUP: MUGURUZA, KVITOVA, KERBER, SAFAROVA
The purple carpet is ready for WTAFinals Ceremony! Tomorrow!
#Singapore #WTAFinals #WTA #Tennis
Maria Sharapova New portraits for Porsche.
@victoriabeckham dress @tagheuer watch
Daniela Hantuchova sexy. Photo of the day
Simona Halep lovers
#SimonaHalep #WTA #Tennis #Selfie
