Radwanska wins Tokyo women’s tennis title

Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska has won the Pan-Pacific Open tennis title for a second time with a dominating 6-2 6-2 victory over Swiss giant-killer Belinda Bencic.

Sunday’s win by Radwanska – her first title since the Rogers Cup in Montreal last year – helped the seventh-seeded Pole avenge her defeat to the 18-year-old in this year’s Eastbourne final on grass.

The 26-year-old Radwanska also took the Tokyo crown in 2011 – the first player to have won the event twice since it moved outdoors and onto a hardcourt.

Radwanska, who moves from 13th to 8th in the world rankings, won eight games in a row to lead 6-2 4-0.

“This is the first tournament I have won twice, so it’s very special for me,” said a tearful Radwanska, a Wimbledon semi-finalist this year.

“I really didn’t expect that kind of score against Belinda – she’s playing so well.

“I’m never going to be a powerful tennis player, even if I spend the whole day in the gym. That’s the way I play, trying to find a way to beat those stronger players.”

Bencic has enjoyed a breakthrough season, winning in Eastbourne and Toronto, including a victory in Canada over Serena Williams in the semi-finals.

She also beat top-seeded Caroline Wozniacki in their semi-final on Saturday, and the Swiss player said she was feeling the effects of that match.

“Agnieszka made me run a lot and I think my serves were so slow today because, after yesterday, I couldn’t do anything with my legs anymore,” Bencic said.

“In the second set, I tried to go for my shots more, even it meant making more mistakes. I still have a lot to learn to play like her – she’s so smart.”

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