The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Gavrilova upsets top-seeded Radwanska
Win over defending champ earns Australian a spot in today’s final
NEW HAVEN » When she was 18, after having traveled around the world playing junior tennis, Daria Gavrilova knew she wanted to leave her native Russia.
And she knew exactly where she wanted to go: Australia.
“I have always wanted to live there, since I started traveling around the world when I was very young,” she said. “I really liked Melbourne. When I turned 18, I said to my parents, ‘OK, I’m gonna move to Australia.’ I met my boyfriend there, and obviously, the opportunities in Australia are a lot better than Russia.”
Gavrilova became an Australian citizen in December, 2015. On Friday night, she became the first Aussie to reach the finals at the Connecticut Open.
Utilizing a strong forehand and a fierce defensive game, Gavrilova upset top seed, defending champ and world No. 10 Agnieszka Radwanska, 6-4, 6-4, in a semifinal match at Stadium Court. She will face second-seeded Dominika Cibulkova in the finals on Saturday at 3 p.m.
“I felt like I was in control most of the match,” said
Gavrilova. “I was really aggressive in taking chances on her second serve, and I felt like I served pretty well, as well.”
It’s the third time in her career that Gavrilova, 23, has reached the finals of a WTA Tour event. She is still looking for her first victory.
“I think every tennis player is trying to get as far as they can in the tournament,” said Gavrilova. “I’m just really looking forward to (Saturday’s) match. It feels even better beating someone like Aga. She’s been top-10 for so many years. I really have a lot of respect for her.”
Asked what it would mean for her to break through and win her first title, Gavrilova said: “I haven’t won it yet, so ... I’m not sure. Obviously, I’m very hungry for it. It will feel like I did something really special.”
Until Friday, Radwanska had dominated the tournament the past two years. She didn’t drop a single set in cruising to last year’s victory, and had won her first two matches this year in straight sets, as well.
But it was apparent early on Friday that the Polish native was in for a battle. Gavrilova broke Radwanska in the first game and won the first four games overall. Radwanska won just three points in her first two service games.
“A couple of games slipped away in the beginning,” Radwanska said. “I was trying to come back, I was close, but she really played some good shots in important moments. I had my chances and I didn’t use them.”
Radwanska bounced back to win the next three games, but Gavrilova took the set.
“The start of every match is pretty important,” Gavrilova said. “Even the first point was a really long rally. That’s what I wanted to bring out. I felt like I had to show her that I’m here and I’m gonna fight for every point.”
Radwanska won the first two games of the second set as Gavrilova lost her composure for a bit, slamming a ball across the court in frustration after losing the second game. But she battled back to win the match.
“She surprised me a little bit with her defensive game,” said Radwanska. “You thought the point was over, and suddenly, everything is coming back. Definitely some great shots. She deserved to win.”
It was the first time Radwanska and Gavrilova had ever faced each other.
Radwanska still heads to next week’s US Open feeling good about her game. She’ll begin play on Tuesday.
“The first two matches, I played very solid,” she said. “I think it was great preparation going to New York.”
Gavrilova, currently ranked No. 26 in the world, has faced No. 11 Cibulkova just once, losing in straight sets at Wimbledon in 2016.
Gavrilova has reached the finals twice before, losing to fellow Aussie Samantha Stosur earlier this year in Strasbourg. She played at New Haven just once before, losing to Lucie Safarova in the first round two years ago in straight sets.