Share this
After a slow start, in-form Pole Agnieszka Radwanska ran over the top of gallant Australian Bojana Bobusic in the opening round of the Australian Open, 7-5 6-0.
With the wind causing some early headaches on the packed Margaret Court Arena, both players struggled to hold serve from one end of the court.
But it was wildcard Bobusic, ranked outside the world’s top 300, who took the early advantage, not only sticking with the Polish world No.4, but surging ahead to serve for the first set at 5-4.
But Radwanska maintained her composure and managed to even the match at 5-5 with a series of clever points, including two imaginative drop shots, that had the local girl off-balance as she fell short in trying to close out the most important set of her career so far.
Once level, it was all Radwanska, and she was never again headed, rushing out to not only take the first set, but the next eight consecutive games, dashing the hopes of both Bobusic and the partisan Aussie crowd.
Radwanska has had the hot hand this year, winning lead-up tournaments in Auckland and Sydney. At the Sydney International she dished out a 6-0 6-0 whitewash against Dominika Cibulkova in the final.
Radwanska rued her passive start to the match today, but was pleased to record yet another straight sets victory this year.
“I think I just didn't start aggressive enough,” Radwanska said.
“I'm just happy that I could come back in the first set and play much better in the second set.”
Radwanska will play either Irina-Camelia Begu and Arantxa Rus in the second round.