The battle of number one continues with a weird withdrawing game at Dubai! First Azarenka withdrew before the tournament started due to a foot injury (no loss this year but two withdrawals already though, something to think about!) and then Serena provided Bartoli with a walkover the first match she was supposed to play, complaining of back issues. I'm liking this bizarre Azarenka - Serena competition, although they'll have to watch out they're not looking at each other and meanwhile Sharapova or Kvitova races straight pass them (wait that's cycling, sport-confusion!)
The withdrawals make Radwanska the highest ranked player in the draw (much like last year, what kind of wicca is the Pole using?) but that doesn't make her quarterfinal opponent Kvitova any less dangerous. The Czech is definitely getting back into shape with two convincing wins against Hantuchova first: 6-2, 6-1 and Ivanovic next: 7-5, 7-6(1) to reach the quarter's. Radwanska got good practice against 18 year old wildcard Putintseva: 7-5, 6-3. The Kazach player broke Radwanska's serve numerous times. I like her fiesty character too, hopefully we'll see more of here again! Just check out her enthousiasm after she won an epic battle against Robson: 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(6) in the first round:
In the top draw both Errani and Vinci knocked themselves in the quarterfinals and hopefully the doubles team will meet in the semi's but Errani will have to beat Petrova for it and Vinci has to get past Stosur! Vinci had a tremendous win over Kerber on route to the quarter's by the way: 7-5, 6-1, very impressive!
The last quarterfinal will be played between Wozniacki and Bartoli. The Dane is also getting quite better, just relinquishing five games in two rounds against Safarova and Zheng no less! Bartoli needed a three set win over Zakopalova before getting the walkover by Serena.
Keep posted!
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