Agnieszka
Radwanska 3-6, 7-5, 7-9 Dominika Cibulkova (Wimbledon R4)
The
rivalry between Dominika Cibulkova and Agnieszka Radwanska continued into 2016,
meeting for 4 times this year with all the meetings going to 3 sets. They met
in Indian Wells, where Radwanska saved match points to come out victorious,
Madrid, where Cibulkova came from a break down in the final set to win, and in
Eastbourne where Cibulkova came out victorious despite being a set and a break
down.
Both
players exchanged service holds at the start of the match, until 2-1 when
Cibulkova broke Radwanska’s serve to lead 3-1 with some fearsome offence.
Cibulkova had the momentum with her, and managed to consolidate the break to
lead 4-1. With the scoreline at 1-4, Radwanska knew that she had to win this
game to keep herself in the hunt for the first set. She did hold her serve, but
the toughest way possible after she had to save 2 break points in the 13-point
game. Cibulkova continued playing her best after she held her serve to lead
5-2, to be a game away from winning the 1st set. Radwanska then held
her serve to give her the slightest chance to comeback and win the set.
Nevertheless, Cibulkova managed to hold her nerves when serving for the set,
serving it out to 15.
Radwanska
had an encouraging start to the 2nd set, holding a tough service
game. Cibulkova then held her serve comfortably with some merciless attack.
Cibulkova’s big forehands kept forcing Radwanska to hit errors, and she looked
to have the win in her hands after she broke Radwanska’s serve easily to lead
by a set and a break. As an experienced player on the tour, Radwanska allowed
herself to regain her composure and break Cibulkova’s serve for the first time
to immediately break back and level the scores. They exchanged service holds
until 3-3, where Cibulkova once again took the lead by breaking Radwanska’s
serve to make her even closer to the win. The same situation occurred again
when Radwanska broke Cibulkova’s serve to stay level in the second set. There
was a 3rd straight break as Cibulkova once again broke Radwanska’s
serve to lead 5-4, and serve for the match. At 30-30, Cibulkova hit a double
fault to hand Radwanska a break point opportunity. However, Cibulkova managed
to maintain her composure and save break point, and a match point opportunity
came soon after. Cibulkova had the perfect chance to win the match, as she was
controlling the rally on match point. However, she hit a backhand unforced
error to waste the opportunity. Radwanska went on a roll since then, capturing
the break to make the score level, and then holding her serve to lead in the
set. A few unforced errors from Cibulkova then gifted the break and the set to
Radwanska, allowing Radwanska to come back from the brink of defeat.
Radwanska
had the perfect start to the final set; holding her serve and then having break
point in Cibulkova’s service game. Cibulkova saved the break point, and held
her serve after hitting 3 winners. Both players held their service games
comfortably until 3-3, when Cibulkova drew first blood in the final set by
breaking Radwanska’s serve to love. Once again, Radwanska managed to break back
immediately to keep the scores level. Radwanska almost got broken again, but
she fought off the pressure with the scoreline at 4-4 15-40 to hold her serve
in a tough game in which she saved 3 break points. At 5-5 with Radwanska
serving, she held her serve the toughest way possible, saving 5 break points in
a 17-point game. While Cibulkova was serving to stay in the match once again,
Radwanska had match point, but could not convert it. There were 3 consecutive
breaks of serve at 6-6, with Cibulkova taking the final break to lead 8-7 to
serve for the match for the 3rd time in the match. This time,
Cibulkova finally managed to serve out the match, but not without any problems
after Radwanska took the game to deuce.
This match
was definitely a thriller, with all the amazing shots, long rallies, anything
you can name! This thrilling contest, which lasted a minute shorter to the 3
hour mark, is definitely one of the matches of the year!
Radwanska
|
Cibulkova
|
|
Aces
|
4
|
1
|
DFs
|
2
|
1
|
1st Serve
|
61%
|
74%
|
1st Serve Won
|
56%
|
56%
|
2nd Serve Won
|
47%
|
58%
|
Break Points
|
6/10
|
7/22
|
Net Points
|
14/22
|
20/27
|
Winners
|
37
|
56
|
Unforced Errors
|
20
|
39
|
Points Won
|
122
|
131
|