Stosur knocks Radwanska out of Carlsbad

You really couldn't have asked for more in terms of entertainment. Of course, we expect stunning shot-making from Agnieszka Radwanska, and she didn't disappoint in yesterday's Southern California Open quarterfinals. Perhaps (it's always so hard to make this determination) Radwanska's greatest moment occurred when she reached very high to deliver a backhand volley winner, and the impact of the shot put her into the air in a 360 spin that made her look like a figure skater.

The thing is, however--Radwanska lost the match. There was another very good, though inconsistent, shot-maker on the court--Sam Stosur. Stosur has dominated Radwanska in their matches in the past, but it's always quite a contest between these two. The Australian's famous forehand was "on," and it didn't hurt that her backhand was working for her, too. She did what few can do; she made Radwanska error-prone with her constant aggression. Stosur's serve was working for her two. She hit 53 winners; she also made 60 unforced errors.

Stosur's risk-taking paid off in this match, which I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish. Stosur defeated Radwanska 7-5, 2-6, 6-3, and will face Virginie Razzano in the semifinals. Razzano defeated Petra Kvitova in what was yesterday's big story at the Open. The match lasted 3 hours and 35 minutes, and Kvitova held two match points in the third-set tiebreak. Razzano won, 6-7, 7-5, 7-6, on her fifth match point.

And yes, this is disappointing to Kvitova's fans, since she's suddenly playing so well again, but it wasn't a case of the "second set collapse." Things are still looking up, and credit to Razzano, who--when she's playing well--can always do some damage.

Ana Ivanovic defeated Roberta Vinci 6-1, 6-7, 6-2, and Victoria Azarenka defeated Urszula Radwanska 6-1, 6-2.

Martina Hingis's doubles comeback ended yesterday when she and Daniela Hantuchova were defeated 4-6, 7-5, 10-3 by 3rd seeds Raquel Kops-Jones and Abigail Spears. 2nd seeds Liezel Huber and Nuria Llagostera Vives were knocked out by Cara Black and Marina Erakovic.

In Washington DC, at the Citi Open, top seed Angelique Kerber was defeated in the quarterfinals by Magdalena Rybarikova. Alize Cornet defeated 5th seed Sorana Cirstea.