Agnieszka Radwanska is one of those players that has always hung around the top 15 of the WTA Tour for the last few years. Despite her consistent play, she’s never really been part of the conversation in the final rounds of big events. But that’s all changing this year as the Polish No. 1 enters her fourth semifinal of 2010 after taking a comprehensive victory over Shahar Peer. Meanwhile, Daniela Hantuchova continued her impressive play and proved she too deserves to be talked about this summer hard court season.
Many expected the match between Peer and Radwanska to be a baseline brawl as both players are known for their consistent backcourt play. But it was Radwanska’s ability to mix up her game with spins and effective net play that was the difference tonight. Radwanksa broke Peer early in the first set and really never looked back after that. Despite Peer trying to fight for every point, Radwanska read Peer’s serve and consistently hit big returns while also coming into net and closing out volleys. After taking the first set 6-2, Radwanska continued to cruise, committing only nine unforced errors the entire match, before closing out the victory in just over an hour 6-2, 6-0.
Daniela Hantuchova
In an earlier quarterfinal, Daniela Hantuchova survived a tough three set battle with Alisa Kleybanova 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 that had Hantuchova changing her tactics in the final set to deal with the Russian’s heavy flat strokes that upended top seed Jelena Jankovic earlier in the week. “She (Kleybanova) was going for her shots and they are very very powerful so I felt like I had to get into longer rallies, make her move a little more and getting her tired. And in the third I felt like I was moving well, so yeah I’m very happy.”
Radwanska, who will now meet Hantuchova in tomorrow’s semifinal, leads the head-to-head against Hantuchova 3-2 with their last meeting being in the Round of 32 of Tokyo in 2009.
(Remember to continue to follow my coverage on Twitter @GVTennisNews for the weekend action in San Diego).
Adjusting the Net 
This should be a strong US Open for Radwanska. Her form is great, plus she has that variety that can annoy any of the most powerful players, including Sharapova most recently.
I think Radwanska will definitely be in the conversation for the year’s last major if she continues this run. I’m calling her to win this title, too.