Johanna Konta loses China Open final to Agnieska Radwanska
Monday 10 October 2016 07:23, UK
Johanna Konta missed out on a second WTA singles title of the year after being beaten in straight sets by Agnieszka Radwanska in the final of the China Open in Beijing on Sunday.
Radwanska won the event for the second time in her career with a 6-4 6-2 triumph over the British No 1 in 95 minutes.
Despite the defeat, Konta will become the first British woman since Jo Durie in 1984 to enter the top 10 in the world when the rankings are updated on Monday.
"I'm very pleased with this week," said Konta, who won her first title at the Stanford Classic in July. "I'm very pleased with my progress over the last few years and hopefully there are still many places to climb.
"But as of now, I'm really enjoying my journey and really enjoying working hard and really working towards playing matches like these against players like Agnieszka. Hopefully, I will have many more in the future."
Konta got off to a poor start by falling two breaks and 5-2 down in the opening set, but she then fought back to 5-4 and had a break point to level the match.
However, a smash into the net let Radwanska off the hook and the world No 3 went on to close out the set.
Konta safely held her first service game of the second set but was broken in her next two and, this time, was unable to mount a recovery.
"It's a very special moment," said Radwanska, who became the first woman to win the title twice. "It's my third final and second title here, so it's a big day. That was a really special week for me and it couldn't have been any better. I played great tennis."
By reaching the China Open final, Konta also moved into the top eight of the Road to Singapore, the race to reach the WTA Finals from October 23-30.
