2012 U.S. Open Player Previews: Agnieszka Radwanska

Agnieszka Radwanska is the magician of the WTA Tour, but even a woman who can mesmerize with her slick sleight-of-hand skills is vulnerable to power players on the speedy surface at Flushing Meadows—Radwanska sometimes looks rushed in rallies at the Open. The pluses are clear: Coming off her first major final at Wimbledon, Radwanska enters the Open with a shot at No. 1 and has played the best tennis of her life this season in capturing three titles, including a straight-sets victory over Maria Sharapova in the Miami final. The question marks are equally obvious: Radwanska’s finesse has largely been fodder for Victoria Azarenka, Serena Williams and Petra Kvitova, each of whom has dominated her. Her subtle skill set has not translated to second week success in New York and she complained of a sore shoulder in Cincinnati.

Why She’ll Win:

Radwanska plays a different brand of tennis than most Top 10 players. She doesn’t beat you up, she picks you apart. Her ability to create angles and shifting speeds make her an unsettling opponent.

Why She Won’t:

The Open has been her least successful major: Radwanska has yet to surpass the fourth round in six career appearances. She was 5-8 vs. Top 10 opponents through the end of Cincinnati.

Bottom Line:

Radwanska is vulnerable to be overpowered on the fast hard court by power players. A quick start is vital to save her strength for the physicality stronger players can bring in later rounds.

More U.S. Open Player Previews:

**Roger Federer

Novak Djokovic

Andy Murray

David Ferrer

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

Juan Martin del Potro**

**Victoria Azarenka

Agnieszka Radwanska

Maria Sharapova

Serena Williams

Petra Kvitova

Samantha Stosur**