Sharapova, Radwanska Advance To Singapore SFs, Halep Gassed, Pennetta Ends Career
Maria Sharapova and Agnieszka both locked up spots in the semifinals of the WTA Finals in Singapore on Thursday. Sharapova kept her record clean dismissing US Open champion Flavia Pennetta 7-5, 6-1 to finish 3-0 and on top of the Red Group.
“I’ve lost the last couple of times against Flavia. I know what a tough competitor and opponent she is. I just wanted to get a little bit of revenge before she goes out of the game!” Sharapova said.
The 33-year-old Pennetta was playing her last event of her career (as of now).
“I’m happy to have had the chance to play this tournament,” Pennetta said. “I think to have my last match against Maria – it was amazing to play such a good champion. And it was also a good way to say goodbye, because when you lose against such a good player, there aren’t too many things to say.
“Right now I feel completely normal, like it’s not my last match – I don’t know why,” she added. “Maybe in a few days I will feel more different. But right now it’s so far, so good!”
Sharapova acknowledged Pennetta. “I just heard this was her last match,” Sharapova said. “It’s really sad to see such a great champion go. She’s had an incredible career, and I was so happy she got the Grand Slam at the US Open. I was smiling for her.”
Also, Radwanska snuck in at just a 1-2 record by defeating a tired Simona Halep 7-6(5), 6-1. With Radwanska, Halep and Pennetta all finishing at 1-2, Radwanska moved on because she won one more set than the other two.
“I was done,” Halep said of losing a 5-1 first set tiebreak lead. “No energy anymore. I was tired. I felt that I lost the chance to win the first set and probably I lost the chance to win the match in that moment.”
The victory was also Radwanska’s 500th of her career.
On Friday, the last two spots in the semifinal will be determined from the White Group. Garbine Muguruza will face Petra Kvitova in a first-time meeting. If Muguruza wins just a set she’ll qualify for the semifinals. And lefties Angelique Kerber and Lucie Safarova collide.
#WTAFinals Group Standings after Day 5!
Sharapova & Radwanska top the Red Group & are moving onto the Semifinals! pic.twitter.com/wseSYxhTLe
— WTA (@WTA) October 29, 2015
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