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On Sunday in Beijing, in the final of the China Open,
last week's champ at Tokyo, 22 year old 11th seeded #13 (last week, #12 this week, career high: #8) Agnieszka Radwanska from Krakow, Poland,
defeated
this year's champion at Strasbourg, 23 year old 9th seeded #11 (career high: #10, German #1) Andrea Petkovic from Darmstadt, Germany,
7-5, 0-6, 6-4 (photo shown).
It was Agnieszka's 11th consecutive match victory. Aga's prize is $775,500, Andrea's prize is $387,750.
Agnieszka, who won 60% of her 1st serve points but only 28% of her 2nd serve points, scored on 7 of the 13 break points she reached against Andrea, and totaled 100 points in the match.
Andrea won 56% of her 1st serve points and 31% of her 2nd serve points, and converted 8 of the 16 break points she reached against Agnieszka, while totaling 101 points in the match.
Agnieszka said: "I tried to focus on my game, playing a bit more aggressively... We played unbelievable today. I really [was] just better by a couple of points. I think it was the best final I've played." AP story
Agnieszka now leads Andrea 5-0 in career matches. Their previous meeting was earlier this year on a Deco-Turf hardcourt in the quarterfinals in Toronto, when Aga defeated Petko 6-4, 6-3.
Andrea, who suffered a right knee meniscus tear during the summer, strained her leg during the first set, and has withdrawn from next week's tourney in Linz, Austria. But she finished the match, and even taught Agnieszka the "Petko dance" after the award ceremony.
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Andrea said: "We always play very long rallies and we always play good matches. I expected a really tough match. All in all, in two or three days, when the disappointment settles a little bit, I think I'll be able to look at it as a really great match and really great entertainment for the people... I really have to turn around this [0-5] head-to-head one day, hopefully soon."
Agnieszka is now 7-2 in WTA singles finals. She also won this year at Tokyo and San Diego, reached the San Diego final last year, and the Beijing final in 2009. Agnieszka has a 45-15 singles match record in 2011.
Andrea, who was playing this week for the first time since the
US Open due to a knee injury, is now 2-3 in previous WTA singles finals; she won this year at Strasbourg, the Bad Gastein title in 2009, and reached the finals at Brisbane this year and at 's-Hertogenbosch in 2010. Andrea has a 54-17 singles match record this year.
China Open, Beijing, China
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tourney time: = GMT +8 hours
= US EDT +12 hours
= US PDT +15 hours
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Beijing News - China News
Beijing: The main draw for Beijing has 16 seeds, with 4 1st-round byes.
There are 8 qualifiers in the main draw.
Qualifying (2 rounds) starts on Friday, qualifying finals are on Saturday.
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2009 was the first year that the China Open was held at the National Tennis Center, which was built for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The National Tennis Center (formerly known as the Beijing 2008 Olympic Green Tennis Courts) is located at the northwest corner of the primary 2008 Olympics venue, on the south side of Beijing's 5th ring road. The address is No. 2 Lin Cui Road, in the Chao Yang section of Beijing.
2011: On Saturday, October 1 in Beijing, Chinese #1 (and French Open champion Li Na, Svetlana Kuznetsova, and Jelena Jankovic held reporters at bay while top seed Caroline Wozniacki goofed off playing video games... row 2: Young ladies looking good at the Beijing player party on Monday included Zheng Jie, Caro Wozniacki, Andrea Petkovic, Marion Bartoli, and Vania King...
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Beijing, 1st Rd, Sat-Mon 12:30pm & noon
losers' prize: $11,817 US; points: 5
n1 s1 Caroline Wozniacki DEN d n49 Lucie Hradecka CZE 3-6, 6-0, 7-5 Mon
Caroline driving a backhand
Caroline said: "[Lucie is] a player who doesn't give you any rhythm. She's serving 200kph serves so when it's on it's difficult. In the second set her first serve percentage dropped, which made it easier for me to start the rallies. It wasn't a pretty match today, but I'm through, and that's what's most important." WTA story
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*n58 q Monica Niculescu ROU d n5 s4 Na Li CHN 64 60 Sun
Monica watching her backhand fly, and Na launching a forehand on the run
Monica scored on 6 of the 12 break points she reached against Na while totaling 64 points in the match; Na converted only 2 of the 4 break points she reached against Monica, while scoring 36 points in the match.
Monica said: "I like to mix the game up a lot. I like coming to the net, dropshots then slice, playing different. It wasn't a tactic to play against Li Na today, it was just my usual game. It worked today, and I'm very happy about that." WTA story
Na had not played since the US Open, where she also lost in the 1st round. Na said: "Right now I've just lost all confidence. On the court I don't know what I can do. I felt even winning one point was tough for me. I asked my coach to come on court and I know he told me exactly what was right, but I couldn't do it.
"The end of the season is coming and there's a long break—hopefully I'll stand up again and prepare for next year."
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n7 s6 Samantha Stosur AUS d n45 Tsvetana Pironkova BUL 6-4, 6-0 Sun
Samantha serving, Tsvetana following a forehand, and Sam driving one
2011 US Open champion Samantha said: "I want to keep trying to improve my game and be more consistent. I don’t think anyone puts more pressure and expectations on me than I do." tourney story
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n8 s7 Francesca Schiavone ITA d n57 Bojana Jovanovski SRB 6-1, 6-3 Sat
Francesca serving, and Bojana running down a forehand
n10 s8 Marion Bartoli FRA d n56 Iveta Benesova CZE 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 Sun
n11 s9 Andrea Petkovic GER d n28 Lucie Safarova CZE 7-6(5), 6-4 Sat
*n54 Tamira Paszek AUT d n12 s10 Jelena Jankovic SRB 7-5, 6-4 Sat
Jelena and Tamira driving forehand and backhand
*n23 Flavia Pennetta ITA d n15 s12 Shuai Peng CHN 7-6(5), 7-5 Mon
Shuai and Flavia flying after forehands
Although she now leads Shuai 6-0 in career matches, Flavia said: "We have similar games. She serves better, but I think I move better than her. So in the end, when we have long rallies, I always have the advantage. So when we play it's really tough, but in the end I've always had the best moments." WTA story
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n16 s13 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova RUS d n46 B Zahlavova Strycova CZE 7-5, 6-4 Sun
n17 s14 Sabine Lisicki GER d n38 Irina-Camelia Begu ROU 6-2 retired—right shoulder injury Sun
n18 s15 Roberta Vinci ITA d n55 Rebecca Marino CAN 6-4, 6-3 Sat
n19 s16 Svetlana Kuznetsova RUS d n59 Alexandra Dulgheru ROU 6-2, 4-1 retired-bilateral knee injury Sat
Svetlana following a backhand
*n27 Maria Kirilenko RUS d n20 Julia Goerges GER 7-6(9), 6-3 Mon
Maria driving a forehand, Julia delivering a backhand, Maria driving one, and after match point
n21 Ana Ivanovic SRB d n68 Kimiko Date-Krumm JPN 6-1, 6-1 Sun
Kimiko and Ana driving forehand and backhand
About Kimiko, who turned 41 last Wednesday, Ana said: "If I’m that fit when I am forty I’ll be more than happy." tourney story
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n22 Dominika Cibulkova SVK d n120 wc Shuai Zhang CHN 6-0, 6-2 Sun
n25 Daniela Hantuchova SVK d n85 q Eleni Daniilidou GRE 6-4, 6-2 Sun
*n32 Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez ESP d n26 Shahar Peer ISR 6-1, 7-5 Sun
*n34 Jarmila Gajdosova AUS d n29 Anabel Medina Garrigues ESP 6-3, 6-0 Sat
Jarmila and Anabel following forehand and backhand
*n48 Klara Zakopalova CZE d n30 Nadia Petrova RUS 6-3, 6(3)-7, 6-1 Mon
n31 Petra Cetkovska CZE d n39 Sara Errani ITA 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 Sat
n35 Polona Hercog SLO d n146 q Laura Robson GBR 6-4, 6-3 Sun
n41 q Chanelle Scheepers RSA d n327 wc Yue-Yue Hu CHN 6-0, 5-7, 6-0 Sun
*n51 q Christina McHale USA d n42 Ayumi Morita JPN 6-2, 0-6, 6-3 Sun
Christina's forehand drive
n43 Kaia Kanepi EST d n268 wc SaiSai Zheng CHN 6-0, 6-3 Sun
*n61 q Carla Suarez Navarro ESP d n44 Ekaterina Makarova RUS 7-5, 6-1 Sun
*n75 wc Jie Zheng CHN d n60 Alberta Brianti ITA 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 Mon
Jie lunging for a forehand, Alberta after launching one on the run, and Jie after match point
*n112 q Virginie Razzano FRA d n67 wc Gisela Dulko ARG 6-2, 6-3 Mon
n84 Sofia Arvidsson SWE d n153 sr36 Alona Bondarenko UKR 6-2, 5-7, 7-5 Sat
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Beijing, 2nd Rd, Mon-Wed 12:30pm & noon Tue WTA story
losers' prize: $19,950 US; points: 80
Tokyo semifinalists received 1st round byes
n1 s1 Caroline Wozniacki DEN d n34 Jarmila Gajdosova AUS 6-2, 6-3 Tue
Caroline following a backhand, Jarmila launching a forehand on the run, and Caro's forehand drive
Caroline said: "I played Jarmila last week, so I knew how she was going to play. I'm just thinking about myself, to be honest—I won the match, and that's the main thing. If my opponent makes 100 winners and zero errors, as long as I win, it doesn't matter how my opponents play."
About her 3rd round opponent, Kaia Kanepi, Caroline said: "I played her last week [in Tokyo] and lost to her in three sets [7-5, 1-6, 6-4]. I had my chances though, and next match is a new match. We start from 0-0 and I'll go out there and fight. Hopefully it will be enough."
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n3 s2 Victoria Azarenka BLR d n35 Polona Hercog SLO 7-6(8), 6-3 Wed
Victoria serving, Polona launching a forehand on the run, and Vika about to swat one
n4 s3 Vera Zvonareva RUS d n48 Klara Zakopalova CZE 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 Tue
Vera and Klara driving forehand and backhand, Vera's backhand drive, and after match point
Vera said: "Klara is a very dangerous player. I didn't make that many mistakes and she played very aggressive and made a lot of winners. In the third set I started playing a little bit more aggressive, going for my shots more. That's the reason I won in the end—I didn't wait for her mistakes anymore, I started to play my game."
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*n84 Sofia Arvidsson SWE d n6 s5 Petra Kvitova CZE 7-6(6), 4-6, 6-3 Mon
*n27 Maria Kirilenko RUS d n7 s6 Samantha Stosur AUS 7-5, 1-6, 7-5 Tue
Maria serving, Samantha and Maria driving forehand and backhand, and Maria after match point
Samantha had defeated Maria four weeks ago in the 4th round of the US Open, 6-2, 6(15)-7, 6-3. The 2nd round tiebreak was the longest women's tiebreak in Grand Slam history. But last week, in the 2nd round at Tokyo, Maria defeated Samantha 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.
Maria said: "When I saw the draw here and that I could play against her again, I said, 'No way.' But I think she was thinking the same thing as me. And again we had a tough match. But I'm happy I won again." WTA story
Maria took a 5-2 lead in the 3rd set, but Samantha recovered to reach 5-5. Samantha said: "No doubt I didn't get off to as good a start as I wanted to in the third, but I got it back to 5-all and thought I started playing quite well again. Unfortunately I didn't play a great game at 5-all. There were a couple points where I think I had chances to do a little more with the ball and didn't—she came up with a winner on match point, that was one of those examples...
"At the US Open I won, then last week I lost to her 6-4 in the third, and this week 7-5 in the third. There's not a lot in it. It's all about those crucial times."
Maria won her first WTA title in Beijing in 2005 at the age of 18. Maria said: "To think how many years ago I won this title. Every time I come here I have great memories. I have so many fans in China, they're so nice to me. Many people come to watch my matches and my practice. Yesterday after the doubles they even broke the fence next to the court so they all fell out on the court—it was the first time in my life that's happened. Hopefully I can win here again!"
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*n22 Dominika Cibulkova SVK d n8 s7 Francesca Schiavone ITA 6-2, 6-2 Mon
n10 s8 Marion Bartoli FRA d n51 q Christina McHale USA 6-2, 6-1 Tue
n11 s9 Andrea Petkovic GER d n61 q Carla Suarez Navarro ESP 6-4, 6-4 Tue
Andrea following a forehand
n13 s11 Agnieszka Radwanska POL d n75 wc Jie Zheng CHN 6-1, 6-4 Wed
Agnieszka and Jie driving forehand and backhand
Agnieszka said: "The most important part was when I was serving 3-2 in the second set and was 0-40 down—I won that game, and that was the key of the match. I'm very happy I could close the match in two sets. I've only been here two days, which is not very long, especially playing on a new court. So I'm happy." WTA story
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n16 s13 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova RUS d n32 Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez ESP 6-2, 6-3 Tue
n43 Kaia Kanepi EST d n17 s14 Sabine Lisicki GER walkover—gastrointestinal illness Wed
*n112 q Virginie Razzano FRA d n18 s15 Roberta Vinci ITA 7-6(7), 6-0 Tue
Virginie said: "I feel good physically and my game is in a good place. I'm happy to win again today and I hope I can keep winning."
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*n21 Ana Ivanovic SRB d n19 s16 Svetlana Kuznetsova RUS 6-2, 6-3 Mon
Ana serving, Svetlana driving a backhand, Ana fielding a forehand, and alerting the media after the match
n23 Flavia Pennetta ITA d n25 Daniela Hantuchova SVK 6-2, 6-1 Tue
Flavia driving a forehand, and Daniela about to swat a backhand
*n54 Tamira Paszek AUT d n31 Petra Cetkovska CZE 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 Mon
*n58 q Monica Niculescu ROU d n41 q Chanelle Scheepers RSA 6-2, 6-1 Wed
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Beijing, 3rd Rd, Wed-Thu 12:30pm Thu WTA story 1 - Thu WTA story 2
losers' prize: $37,225 US; points: 140
n1 s1 Caroline Wozniacki DEN d n43 Kaia Kanepi EST 6-3, 7-6(3) Thu
Caroline serving, Kaia launching a forehand on the run, and Caro's forehand drive
Caroline said: "I think it was a high level today. She has been #15 or #16 in the world, I think, so I knew it was going to be tough, also after losing to her last week. I was really happy to get this win."
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*n16 s13 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova RUS d n3 s2 Victoria Azarenka BLR walkover—right foot injury Thu
Victoria said: "It's disappointing. I'm sorry to the fans. I was hoping my foot would be okay, but it has been bothering me since Tokyo. I'm not sure about recovery time but I will consult my doctor. I hope to be back for Luxembourg."
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*n21 Ana Ivanovic SRB d n4 s3 Vera Zvonareva RUS 6-2, 6-1 Wed
Ana serving, Vera reaching for a backhand, Ana driving a forehand, and after match point
Ana, who won 80% of her 1st serve points and 44% of her 2nd serve points, scored on 6 of the 10 break points she reached against Vera, and totaled 59 points in the match. Vera, who won only 54% of her 1st serve points and 23% of her 2nd serve points, converted 2 of the 3 break points she reached against Ana, while totaling 37 points in the match.
Ana said: "I was playing aggressive and deep. I also thought I was returning really well, putting pressure on her from both sides, forehand and backhand. I really stepped up and stayed low, and I thought that was the big difference in helping me win today... I was very pleased with this because [Vera is] a great player." WTA story
Ana's new coach, Nigel Sears, who was previously employed by Daniela Hantuchova and the British LTA, has helped to improve her serve and forehand.
Ana said: "Sometimes it takes time to see results, but it’s coming together now." AP story
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*n11 s9 Andrea Petkovic GER d n10 s8 Marion Bartoli FRA 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 Wed
Marion and Andrea driving forehand and backhand, and Andrea after winning a point
As Marion served at 5-6, 15-30 in the 3rd set, her 8th double fault of the match gave Andrea two match points. Andrea only needed one. Andrea (7/12 BPs) scored 107 points in the match; Marion (6/14 BPs) scored 101.
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n13 s11 Agnieszka Radwanska POL d n84 Sofia Arvidsson SWE 6-4, 6-2 Thu
Agnieszka's backhand drive
*n23 Flavia Pennetta ITA d n22 Dominika Cibulkova SVK 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 Thu
Flavia driving a forehand
Flavia said: ""I started well today. I was aggressive and my serve was working well. [Dominika] was also having problems with her serve. In the beginning of the second set I began to feel the pressure a little bit and started making a few mistakes. She was becoming very aggressive and hitting the ball so hard.
"After I lost the second set I tried my best to stay on the court and just fight. I was up and playing really well but I got a bit shaky and she had her chances when she made it 4-4, 0-30. But then I played eight good points in a row."
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n27 Maria Kirilenko RUS d n54 Tamira Paszek AUT 6-1, 6-2 Thu
Maria driving forehand and backhand
Maria, who won 77% of her 1st serve points and 64% of her 2nd serve points, scored on 4 of the 8 break points she reached against Tamira, and totaled 63 points in the match. Tamira won only 50% of her 1st serve points and 32% of her 2nd serve points, and failed to convert any of the 3 break points she reached against Maria, while totaling 34 points in the match.
Maria said: "I've had good wins the last couple of weeks. My confidence has really grown and I'm playing a really good standard of game right now." WTA story
Maria will play Monica Niculescu In the quarterfinals on Friday. Maria and Monica are tied at 1-1 in career matches. They have not met since 2008, when, on a Deco-Turf hardcourt in the 1st round in New Haven, Monica defeated Maria 6(7)-7, 6-2, 6-1.
Maria said: "Monica is a tricky player. She uses a lot of slice and has an unusual style. I've played her a few times. Once I won against her easily and another time I lost. But I know what to do against this type of player.
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n58 q Monica Niculescu ROU d n112 q Virginie Razzano FRA 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 Thu
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Beijing, QFs, Fri 12:30pm Fri WTA story
losers' prize: $74,450 US; points: 250
*n23 Flavia Pennetta ITA d n1 s1 Caroline Wozniacki DEN 3-6, 6-0, 7-6(2)
Flavia about to serve, Caro following a backhand, Flavia driving a forehand, and after match point
Caroline said: "I had 6-5, 30-0 and should have closed the match out. Flavia played some good points at that time, though, and I made a few wrong decisions. It's unlucky. I knew it was going to be tough out there beforehand."
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n11 s9 Andrea Petkovic GER d n16 s13 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova RUS 6-3, 7-6(2)
n13 s11 Agnieszka Radwanska POL d n21 Ana Ivanovic SRB 6-3, 3-2 retired—left low back injury
Ana and Aga driving forehand and backhand, and Ana getting checked by the trainer after her back started hurting too much
Ana said: "I've been struggling with my back since the beginning of last week in Tokyo. I've had lots of treatment on it but it hasn't been getting much better. I went for an MRI here yesterday and the doctors are still looking at the results. I'm talking to physios and just making sure of the next steps. It's too early to say anything. I really hope I can still play tournaments in Luxembourg and Bali.
"It was still inspirational to see the things I've been working on come together here in Beijing. I played some great tennis this week, probably the best tennis I've played in years. I think next year will be a big year for me."
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*n58 q Monica Niculescu ROU d n27 Maria Kirilenko RUS 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
Monica following a backhand, Maria driving one, and Monica driving another
Monica said: "I'm so happy I can't find the words to describe my feelings now. Today's match was so tough, I really had to focus on every point. In the end it was like a dream come true. It's just unbelievable for me to be in the semifinals after coming through the qualifying—it's my best result and I believe it's good for me for next year because I'll be stronger and more confident."
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Beijing, SFs, Sat 1pm
losers' prize: $169,447 US; points: 450
n11 s9 Andrea Petkovic GER d n58 q Monica Niculescu ROU 6-2, 6-0
Monica about to swat a forehand, Andrea volleying one, and after match point
Andrea, who won 61% of her 1st serve points and 64% of her 2nd serve points, scored on 7 of the 8 break points she reached against Monica, and totaled 53 points in the match. Monica won only 32% of her 1st serve points and 17% of her 2nd serve points, and converted both of the 2 break points she reached against Andrea, while totaling 26 points in the match.
Andrea said: "[Monica has] a totally different style than all the other girls. I don't think I had a match like this the whole season. So I prepared differently. I put my two coaches on the other side of the court and made them play slice all the time. So I think I was quite prepared for what was waiting for me here today.
"I never underestimated her. I knew I had lost to her the last two or three times. I went into today as if I was playing the #1 in the world, and not playing someone ranked in the 50s." WTA story
About playing Agnieszka Radwanska in the final, Andrea said: "Agnieszka is obviously in the best form of her life, because she won Tokyo—she also played an incredible US Open Series. I've lost to Agnieszka two or three times this year. I'm just going to focus on myself and hopefully be a little lucky tomorrow."
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n13 s11 Agnieszka Radwanska POL d n23 Flavia Pennetta ITA 6-2, 6-4
Agnieszka and Flavia driving backhand and forehand, Aga launching a forehand on the fly, and after match point
Agnieszka, who won 65% of her 1st serve points and 55% of her 2nd serve points, scored on 5 of the 11 break points she reached against Flavia, and totaled 69 points in the match. Flavia won 58% of her 1st serve points and 38% of her 2nd serve points, and converted 2 of the 6 break points she reached against Agnieszka, while totaling 53 points in the match.
Agnieszka said: "Flavia and I hadn't played in a long time. I knew she was playing well the last couple of weeks, so I was focusing on my game from the beginning. When you're playing a top player it's hard to have specific tactics—you have to play 100% and be focused from the first point until the end, and fight for each point."
About playing Andrea Petkovic in the final, Agnieszka said: "We played two times against each other in the summer; I won both those matches. That doesn't mean anything though. It's always very tough and very tight against Andrea. She's playing well. I have to play even better than today to beat her tomorrow."
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Beijing, Final, Sun 7:30pm
loser's prize: $387,750 US; points: 700
winner's prize: $775,500 US; points: 1000
n13 s11 Agnieszka Radwanska POL d n11 s9 Andrea Petkovic GER 7-5, 0-6, 6-4
Andrea and Agnieszka driving forehand and backhand, and tired Aga after match point
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Beijing, Doubles Final, Saturday
losers' prize: $133,000 US
winners' prize: $266,000 US
s1 Kveta Peschke & Katarina Srebotnik d s3 Gisela Dulko & Flavia Pennetta 6-3, 6-4
Beijing, Qual Finals, Sat Oct 1 11am
losers' prizes: q1 $1,350 1pt; q2 $2,610 20pts; qualifier 30 points
*n85 Eleni Daniilidou GRE d n33 Angelique Kerber GER 2-6, 6-3, 6-4
n41 Chanelle Scheepers RSA d n59 Greta Arn HUN 6-4, 6-1
n46 Barbora Zahlavova Strycova CZE d n74 Alla Kudryavtseva RUS 6(3)-7, 6-1, 7-5
n51 Christina McHale USA d n65 Galina Voskoboeva KAZ 7-6(2), 6-3
n58 Monica Niculescu ROU d n108 Misaki Doi JPN 7-6(1), 6-3
n61 Carla Suarez Navarro ESP d n134 Nuria Llagostera Vives ESP 7-6(3), 6-4
*n112 Virginie Razzano FRA d n63 Vera Dushevina RUS 7-6(12), 6-0
*n146 Laura Robson GBR d n144 Melinda Czink HUN 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(4)
Beijing, Withdrawals
n2 Maria Sharapova RUS left ankle sprain
n14 Serena Williams USA medical reasons
n24 Yanina Wickmayer BEL low back injury
n37 Ksenia Pervak RUS left shoulder injury
n40 Simona Halep ROU right achilles injury
n52 Bethanie Mattek-Sands USA right shoulder injury
n53 Elena Vesnina RUS left wrist injury
n73 Lourdes Dominguez Lino ESP right foot injury
n104 Venus Williams USA Sjögren's Syndrome
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Link to many postmatch interview & match highlight videos of WTA players at the
: the current top 20 Women's Tennis rankings with player photos, links, and bio info.
