Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova and Agnieszka Radwanska met in the quarterfinals of the Aegon International at Eastbourne in a match that lasted three hours and nine minutes. The Slovak defeated Radwanska 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-3 to advance to the semifinals, where she will meet the Puerto Rican qualifier Monica Puig, who defeated Kristina Mladenovic on Wednesday.
Radwanska breaks early and wins a tight opener
It was the Slovak who opened up proceedings serving and held her serve comfortably. But her one game lead was quickly erased as Radwanska held her own serve in a deuce game to tie the score up at 1-1. The Polish, however, stepped up to the challenge and broke Cibulkova easily for a 2-1 lead. Radwanska then played her part to consolidate the break, as Cibulkova's errors helped the Pole out.
Smart play for Radwanska then helped her grab another break as well as a controlling three-game lead early in the first set. Things seemed to be going to good for Radwanska, though, and Cibulkova was quick to break the world number three's four-game streak, breaking her on her fourth attempt. The Slovak then consolidated the break in another marathon game, saving break points to keep the first set at arms length.
Serving at 4-3 up, Radwanska kept her break lead by holding serve and dropping just one point while at it. Cibulkova, however, also held serve comfortably, forcing the Pole to serve for the opening set. And Radwanska did just that, holding off Cibulkova to edge the opening set 6-4, in just over an hour.
Cibulkova takes the second set in tiebreaker
Radwanska looked to be carrying the momentum into the second set as she got herself a 40-0 lead on Cibulkova's serve. Another unforced error from the Slovak gifted the Pole an early break, and a one-game lead. Cibulkova, though, immediately bounced back on the Radwanska serve and earned herself three break points. But Radwanska was too good as she saved break points and eventually held serve. The pair then exchanged comfortable holds, making the score 3-1 in favor of Radwanska. Cibulkova again maintained form on her serve, holding for another easy service game.
It was now Radwanska who was making the unforced errors and the Mutua Madrid Open finalist took full advantage to break the Polish player to 15, tieing the score at 3-3. The pair then exchanged a trio of comfortable holds, forcing a tiebreaker. And it was Cibulkova who took the early advantage as multiple characteristic winners and just one mini-break of serve got the Slovak up 4-1 in the tiebreaker. And a forehand return into the net gifted Cibulkova the second set 7-6(2) in one hour and 14 minutes.
Cibulkova breaks twice to win the match
The third and final set started off with both players finding their form on serve, and the pair exchanged early holds for 1-1. The pair then had their first close game on the Radwanska serve, with the Pole ultimately coming through in the end on her third opportunity. The 2012 Wimbledon finalist then earned herself two break points on the Slovak's next service game, but Cibulkova stayed strong and fought off all breaks points to eventually tie the score up at 2-2.
The pair then again exchanged holds as both were playing good tennis on their own serves, making the score 3-3. Cibulkova, though, stepped up when it mattered and denied the Pole of holding serve as she saved two game points and eventually found herself with a break point. And a forehand error in the net handed the break on a silver platter to the Slovak. A hold of serve to 15 for Cibulkova then put her just one game away from upsetting the number one seed. And for the fifth time out of twelve meetings, Cibulkova defeated Radwanska 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-3 in three hours and four minutes to make the semifinals.