Agnieszka Radwanska beat Sabine Lisicki to reach the semi-finals in Dubai and then criticised Victoria Azarenka for her conduct in Doha.
Pole admits anger at what she saw as play-acting in Doha
Agnieszka Radwanska produced a scintillating display to reach the semi-finals of the Dubai Tennis Championships on Thursday and then criticised new world number one Victoria Azarenka for her conduct in their recent match in Doha.
The Pole was on top form as she brushed aside the challenge of Sabine Lisicki in Dubai, losing just three games to the German in their quarter-final as she won 6-2 6-1.
But while pleased with the victory, at the post-match press conference Radwanska made it clear she was less than impressed with Azarenka's conduct during their semi-final showdown in Doha last week.
Radwanska appeared to be referring to what she saw as play-acting from Azarenka who continually hobbled and winced between rallies in Doha, whilst still moving well enough during the rallies to record a straight sets success.
The Pole also criticised Azarenka for her controversial grunting after losing to the Belarussian at the Australian Open, but insisted her conduct in Doha had led her to lose respect for the current number one.
"Well, to be honest, I don't think this is worth a comment. But I think after this match (in Doha)... just lost a lot of respect. That's it.
"If you do this in the match, if anyone didn't see the match, I think it's just a quick look on YouTube and you'll know what was going on."
At the end of that match, Radwanska barely offered Azarenka a handshake and acknowledged she had been left "angry" by her opponent.
Angry
"I was angry because I don't think this is the great image for the women's tennis, what was going on there," she added.
Meanwhile, Sam Stosur's poor early season form continued as she was beaten in the quarter-finals in Dubai by Jelena Jankovic.
The Australian has struggled to follow up her victory at the US Open last September and was always on the back foot against Jankovic.
The fourth seed could not find her rhythm she handed the Serbian the first set with a string of unforced errors.
Stosur broke early in the second set but the eighth seed broke back immediately then pulled 5-2 clear before wrapping up the match in just 90 minutes.
"It's never easy. Against her, we always have tough matches," said Jankovic, who will now meet Radwanska. "I think the key was my return. She has one of the best, if not the best, serves in the women's game. It's never easy to return her serve.
The other semi-final will see Caroline Wozniacki take on Julia Goerges. Third-seeded Wozniacki defeated Ana Ivanovic 6-3 7-5, while Germany's Goerges came from a set down to defeat Daniela Hantuchova 4-6 6-3 6-4.
