Agnieszka Radwanska advances at Mercury Insurance Open

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Agnieszka Radwanska nipped Elena Baltacha’s comeback effort in the bud, closing out a tightly contested second set for a 6-0, 7-6 (4) victory at the Mercury Insurance Open Tuesday afternoon.

The third-seeded Radwanska appeared to be on her way to an easy win after pummeling Baltacha in the first set, but Baltacha managed to break the Polish player in the third game of the second set. However, a series of shaky holds by Baltacha culminated in a break back by Radwanska at 5-5. Then both players served it out to force a tiebreaker.

In the tiebreak, the players were on serve at 5-4 until Baltacha missed a swinging volley to give Radwanska match point. Baltacha then hit a half-hearted backhand into the net to seal the match.

Radwanska had a bye in the first round of the tournament before facing Baltacha. She becomes the first player to advance to the third round.

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-- Matt Stevens

Agnieszka Radwanska returns a backhand during her victory over Elena Baltacha at the Mercury Insurance Open in Carlsbad on Tuesday. Credit: Jeff Gross / Getty Images