Aggressive Goerges Overpowers Radwanska

Julia Goerges hit 56 winners - including 20 aces - to outdo the World No.2 and Wimbledon finalist.

Published July 29, 2012 12:00

Aggressive Goerges Overpowers Radwanska
Julia Goerges

LONDON, England - Julia Goerges pulled off the first huge surprise of the Olympic Tennis Event on Sunday, hitting a barrage of winners to stun No.2 seed and Wimbledon finalist Agnieszka Radwanska, 75 67(5) 64.

Goerges, who had some very big wins before - she beat Caroline Wozniacki twice while the Dane was No.1 last year - was firing at Radwanska from all cylinders. She had 56 winners in the match, which included 20 aces, 17 forehand winners, 12 backhand winners and even five volley winners - to just 25 unforced errors. She came from a break down in the third set to close it out.

"I'm pretty satisfied with the way I played," Goerges said afterwards. "I played aggressively and served well. I was pretty close to beating her last time we played in Dubai, so I expected maybe I could turn it around this time - and I know if I play well it's dangerous for anyone and it was today, a lucky day.

"It was my first time representing Germany at the Olympic Games and it was my first time on Centre Court at Wimbledon, too, so I'm very happy."

Radwanska was coming off her first Grand Slam final at the very same venue, in fact playing four of her seven matches during the fortnight on Centre Court.

"The court is different - when we were practicing it seemed the same, but when you go on the match court, it's totally different," Radwanska said. "For sure it doesn't feel the same as three weeks ago. But it's the same for everybody.

"It's always tough to lose in the first round. I still felt like there was a chance, but I didn't play my best tennis in a couple of important moments, and that's why the score is like it is. It was a really tough match. She played very well.

"I'm not in singles anymore, so I hope we can do better in doubles, and I'll also play the mixed doubles. And then I go to Montréal and Cincinnati, maybe New Haven, we'll see how it goes. And of course after that, the US Open."

While Goerges finished with a +31 winners-to-unforced errors differential (56 to 25), Radwanska ended the match with a differential of +3 (24 to 21).

Next up for Goerges will be either American Varvara Lepchenko or Paraguay's Veronica Cepede Royg, who played their first round match later on Sunday and were tied at a set apiece before the match was suspended until Monday.

Other first round winners on Day 2 were No.3 seed Maria Sharapova, who scored a dominant 62 60 victory over Shahar Peer in just over an hour, as well as Yaroslava Shvedova, Timea Babos and Anna Tatishvili.

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