Good start 13
Consecutive games Radwanska won early in 2013.
on court and be ready for the Championships’.” “I think it was not enough rest between.”
Eager to rest, but also to try to ensure she started 2014 in the same way she had in 2013, she only took two weeks off after Istanbul.
“I had a vacation right after Istanbul. So, two weeks after, and then of course back on court and hard work from the beginning. So I really practised a lot the last few weeks,” she said.
“I really did a lot of fitness, you know, to be healthy and strong for the whole year.”
“Hopefully, I can have the same good start of the season like last year. We’ll see.”
In 2013, Radwanska won 13 successive matches and claimed two titles before she lost to Li in the quarter- finals at Melbourne Park.
Stanislas Wawrinka lived up to his top billing by outclassing seventh- seeded Frenchman Eduard Roger- Vasselin 7- 5, 6- 2 in the singles final of the Aircel Chennai Open on Sunday.
Wawrinka, the 28- year old Swiss, ranked No. 8 in the world, picked up $ 72,490 ( Dh266,248) and 250 ATP Tour points, while Roger- Vasselin went home with $ 38,180 ( Dh140,231) and 150 points on conclusion of the one hour, 35- minute final.
Frederik Nielsen ( Denmark) and Johan Brurnstrom ( Sweden) won the doubles title, beating Croatian pair Marin Draganja and Mate Pavic 6- 2, 4- 6 ( 10- 7) in the final.
In celebrating his 500th Tour singles match with his 302nd win and fifth title, Wawrinka underlined his growing stature that saw him break into top 10 for the first time last year as he wove his one- handed magic to force the Frenchman into errors, while blasting a stream of breathtaking winners.
In contrast, the 30- year old Roger- Vasselin, playing only his second tour final in 12 seasons since turning pro and still in quest of a maiden title, appeared drained from the two back- toback three- set matches.
Near- flawless games
He did, though, show some flashes of brilliance that had seen him move to 48 last season before ending the year at 52nd position.
Wawrinka was at his aggressive best and having come through to the final without dropping a set, was obviously the fresher of the two and played near- flawless tennis, especially in the second set to win his second Chennai Open title after 2011.
An elated Wawrinka, who had lost to Roger- Vasselin last year in Basel, said that he hoped to improve further.
“Obviously this is special, to win my fifth title. I had a good 2013 and had an amazing week here. I will practice hard and do my best to win more matches in 2014,” he said.