DUBAI // Agnieszka Radwanska, the second seed, made an early exit from the Dubai Tennis Championships yesterday, knocked out by veteran Italian qualifier Flavia Pennetta in straight sets.
The world No 3, who reached the semis in Doha last week and the last four at the Australian Open, looked to be cruising at the start as she raced to a 4-1 lead. Pennetta, however, broke her twice to take the opening set 6-4.
The Italian, who has played four more matches than Radwanska in Dubai this week – three in the qualifiers and the first round – took the momentum into the second set as the Pole, playing her first match here after getting a first round bye, struggled with the wind.
Pennetta broke Radwanska twice for a 3-0 lead, but the 2012 Dubai champion showed signs of a fightback with a break in the fourth game. However, it was not to be as she dropped her serve twice again, finishing with a double fault on match point.
Radwanska is the third seed to depart early from the tournament. Simona Halep, the No 7 seed, pulled out injured from her first round match against Alize Cornet, while 6th seed Angelique Kerber was knocked out by Ana Ivanovic on Tuesday night.
