Williams has returned to the Tour refocused and re-energised, having taken a couple of months off from competitive action to recharge the batteries after a 2015 season in which she claimed three major titles and fell just two wins short of a calendar Grand Slam. Radwanska faced a daunting task, having lost all eight of the pair’s previous encounters but had started the 2016 season unbeaten, having scooped the title at Shenzhen. Unfortunately for Radwanska, the signs were ominous from the very start as Williams looked focused and was particularly aggressive on return. A wrong-footing smash and return winners off each wing catapulted Williams to an immediate break of serve. Radwanska was constantly playing catch up and failed to find a solution for the brutal force cannoning across the net. A whipped forehand winner and untimely double fault etched 3-0 onto the scoreboard. Williams hit a rapid forehand-backhand-forehand winner combination to break for a third time and was commanding on serve to wrap up a 6-0 opener, having struck 18 winners, succeeded 10/11 times at the net and dropping just seven points. It was pretty much perfection. The No.4 seed managed to limit the damage with a pair of heavy serves to open set two but the six-time champion stole a 2-1 advantage by targeting Radwanska’s backhand and swatting away a volleyed winner. Radwanska simply puffed her cheeks in disbelief. However, there was still hope. Two overcooked groundstrokes gave Radwanska 0-30 before two netted forehands off balance gifted the Pole a break back for 3-3. A mesmerising volleyed drop-shot winner from the Pole was applauded by Williams. At the first deuce of the match, Radwanska prompted adulation from Serena again when striking a fine lob for a 4-3 advantage. But the winners began to flow again from the world No.1’s racquet as she broke for 5-4, and three consecutive aces preceded a drive volley to wrap up a magnificent victory in one hour and four minutes.

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