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WIMBLEDON 2013: Sabine Lisicki beats Agnieszka Radwanska in epic battle to set up final showdown with Marion Bartoli


 



In a women’s draw that has thrown up kookiness at every turn, no match can have been wackier than a semi-final for the ages as Sabine Lisicki finally sealed her appointed place in the Wimbledon final with an entrancing 6-4, 2-6, 9-7 victory over Agnieszka Radwanska.
Huge momentum swings, aces, double-faults, cruel net chords galore and a dollop of bad feeling characterised an encounter in which the third set lasted as long as the first two put together.
Ground stroke: Sabine Lisicki falls to the turf to celebrate her win over Agnieszka Radwanska
Ground stroke: Sabine Lisicki falls to the turf to celebrate her win over Agnieszka Radwanska
Ground stroke: Sabine Lisicki falls to the turf to celebrate her win over Agnieszka Radwanska
Marching on: Lisicki waves to the crowd as she leaves Centre Court on her way to Saturday's final
Marching on: Lisicki waves to the crowd as she leaves Centre Court on her way to Saturday's final
Even the Centre Court scoreboard was frazzled by the excitement, first flickering continuously, then failing completely as a topsy-turvy encounter lurched this way and that.
Lisicki, the 23rd seed, finally triumphed to set a date with Marion Bartoli, seeded just eight places higher.
The German’s on court histrionics, particularly her celebrations – she rolled on to the Centre Court turf as a final forehand winner flashed into the open court - are regarded in a disparaging light by her fellow tour players. Radwanska’s reaction at the end told as much.
The handshake she offered was cursory in the least and wholly unbefitting such a magnificent match.
With that, Radwanska was off court, leaving Lisicki to live the moment and a passage to the final which is rightly hers as the woman who knocked out world No 1 and defending champion Serena Williams in the fourth round.
With feeling this time: Radwanska didn't offer much of a handshake to Lisicki after bowing out of Wimbledon
With feeling this time: Radwanska didn't offer much of a handshake to Lisicki after bowing out of Wimbledon
Take that: Lisicki powers a serve in Radwanska's direction during an entertaining battle for a place in the final
Take that: Lisicki powers a serve in Radwanska's direction during an entertaining battle for a place in the final
She ought to have won in straight sets after seizing an early break in the second. Then again, she could equally have been left in despair, so bereft of confidence and ideas was she as she dropped six games in a row and stood 3-0 behind in the third set.
At that it was doubtful that Lisicki knew what shot she would attempt next. Her serve, widely regarded as the second strongest behind that of Serena in the women’s game, had completely deserted her – she dropped five service games in succession – while her groundstrokes became increasingly wild.
Certainly, Radwanska had no idea what would be coming over the net.
Hairy moments: Agnieszka Radwanska played her part as the pair put on a show for the crowd at Centre Court
Hairy moments: Agnieszka Radwanska played her part as the pair put on a show for the crowd at Centre Court
Just in time, Lisicki recovered a semblance of composure. She first served for the match at 5-4 only for Radwanska to throw a bewildering array of attacking strokes at her. It was her racket that the Pole was reduced to throwing at 5-6 behind – in desperation at the ball - so far out of court was she.
The Centre Court crowd lapped it up. It was the style of tennis you could watch all day and still want more.

Lisicki didn’t, and when she broke again for 8-7, she strode through to the final with certainty this time.

Don't throw in the towel: Radwanska takes the opportunity to have a very brief breather between points
Don't throw in the towel: Radwanska takes the opportunity to have a very brief breather between points
Keep your eye on the ball: Lisicki tries to stay in control as she almost takes a tumble
Keep your eye on the ball: Lisicki tries to stay in control as she almost takes a tumble
'It's unbelievable. The last few games were so exciting,' said a smiling Lisicki.

'We were fighting, Agnieszka played so well throughout the match. It was a battle. I'm so happy to have won that.

'I fought with all my heart and believed I could still win no matter what the score was.'

Lisicki was in a similar situation in her fourth-round match against Williams, winning in three after squandering a one-set lead.

It's a stretch: Lisicki has to use her full length as she goes for a return against Radwanska
It's a stretch: Lisicki has to use her full length as she goes for a return against Radwanska

Getting cute: Radwanska attempts a little dink over the net to get the better of Lisicki
Getting cute: Radwanska attempts a little dink over the net to get the better of Lisicki
'It was a little bit like that in the third set when I was down 3-0,' Lisicki added on the BBC. 'I thought, "Okay, you did it against Serena so you can do it today as well".

'It gave me so much confidence. I'm so, so happy I was able to finish it.

'Wimbledon is my favourite tournament, I love it so much and I love being in England. I cannot believe I'm in the final.'

Battle cry: German Lisicki lets out a roar after another winner against Radwanska
Battle cry: German Lisicki lets out a roar after another winner against Radwanska
Saturday's match against Marion Bartoli will be Lisicki's first appearance in a grand slam final.

It will also be the first time that a German has reached a grand slam singles final since 1999 when Steffi Graf lost to Lindsay Davenport.

'Steffi wished me luck before the match,' Lisicki said. 'I haven't thought about the final. I'll be happy for today and I can re-focus tomorrow.'



 

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