TENNIS – Agnieszka Radwanska had the chance to become world number one by winning the title in Montreal, but she lost to Na Li in the quarterfinals (6-4 6-2). The Chinese will play Safarova for a place in the final. In the second semifinal Kvitova will play Wozniacki. By Robert Pałuba

Agnieszka Radwanska missed the one of the biggest opportunities in her career losing to Li Na in the quarterfinals in Montreal. The Wimbledon finalist had a tremendous chance to overtake Victoria Azarenka and become world number one.

The Pole had a first chance to become world number one in Madrid, but that one seemed beyond her reach. She eventually lost (easily) to Azarenka in the semifinal, but had she won, Serena Williams was waiting in the final. The situation in Montreal was different. Azarenka withdrew during her first match, Sharapova and Williams didn't even take part in the competition, making Radwanska one of the strong favourites for the title in Canada.

The task still turned out to be too difficult for the Pole. Radwanska struggled in her opening match (she saved a match point against Mona Barthel) and in the next round, delayed by rain, against Chanelle Scheepers. The Pole took the first set comfortably, but she trailed 2-4 in the second, committing far too many unforced errors, giving the South African a chance to take a two break lead.

Just like the men did in Toronto on Friday, the women had to play two matches on Saturday in Montreal. The end for Radwanska come two hours later, in the quarterfinals. Having beaten Sara Errani earlier that day, Li didn't slow down, giving a dominant performance against Radwanska. Hitting big and clean, she dismantled her opponent 6-2, 6-1, avenging the disappointing loss in Stuttgart earlier this year.

"She was playing unbelievable today. I couldn't do anything." Radwanska said after the match. "I just hope I'll have more opportunities to be No.1" she added. Reaching the semifinal in Montreal will enable Li to return to the top 10.

The second spot in the bottom half was taken by Lucie Safarova. The hard hitting Czech will compete in the semis in Canada for the first time, after losing only four games to Roberta Vinci. The Italian surprisingly eliminated Angelique Kerber in the third round, but she was out of energy and got dominated in her second match of the day.

"It has been a tough week, especially yesterday with all the rain and all the waiting, but I'm really happy to be in the semis now, my first time in Canada." said Safarova. "I have nothing to lose tomorrow. I will go there and try to play my tennis, try to take her time away and use my lefty serve, and we'll see." she commented on the upcoming clash with Li.

Saturday was also a tough day for former world number one Caroline Wozniacki. The Dane started with a long, difficult match against Varvara Lepchenko. In the second set Wozniacki hurt her knee, but with trainer's help she was able to finish, winning 4-6 6-3 6-4 in two and a half hours.

For Wozniacki, the rain delay (which came after the first quaterfinal) was the best thing that could happen, giving her time to get some extra rest and treatment to her injured knee. Beating Canadian wildcard Aleksandra Wozniak 6-4 6-4, Wozniacki reached her first semifinal of a Premier event since Miami.

Petra Kvitova overpowered in-form Tamira Paszek with another convincing performance. Having won her third round match on Thursday against Marion Bartoli, the Czech had to play only one match on Saturday and she will be Wozniacki's opponent for a place in the final. Kvitova trails 2-3 in their head-to-head series, but she won their last meeting in Istanbul and the Danish player spent over four hours on court on Saturday.

Results

Singles - Third Round


(2) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) d. Chanelle Scheepers (RSA) 62 64
(WC) Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) d. Christina McHale (USA) 76(5) 63
(10) Li Na (CHN) d. (8) Sara Errani (ITA) 64, 62
(7) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) d. Varvara Lepchenko (USA) 46 63 64
Roberta Vinci (ITA) d. (6) Angelique Kerber (GER) 62 76(7)
Tamira Paszek (AUT) d. Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) 63 60

Singles - Quarterfinals

(5) Petra Kvitova (CZE) d. Tamira Paszek (AUT) 62 63
(7) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) d. (WC) Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) 64 64
(16) Lucie Safarova (CZE) d. Roberta Vinci (ITA) 62 62
(10) Li Na (CHN) d. (2) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 62 61

Robert Pałuba