By BARBARA SURK, Associated Press
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland won her eighth career WTA title, defeating Julia Goerges of Germany 7-5, 6-4 in the Dubai Tennis Championships final on Saturday.
Radwanska will rise one place to a career-best No. 5 when the world rankings are released Monday.
The fifth-seeded Radwanska led in both sets but it took her almost 2 hours to overcome the unseeded Goerges.
The German rallied on her powerful forehand, but Radwanska patiently remained on the baseline to watch Goerges' unsuccessful forays to the net, rushing her shots and returning them long and wide.
Radwanska led 4-1 in the second set. Goerges won three more games before Radwanska wrapped up the second win over her in a month.
"Her forehand — it's a very big weapon," Radwanska said. "It's just going so fast and sometimes, you know, I couldn't even like move the right way and the ball was already behind me."
Goerges was hoping to make up for the loss to Radwanska in the fourth round of the Australian Open.
"I'm not disappointed because it was a big step in the right direction for me," Goerges said. "She's a top-five player ... I don't think that I did so many things wrong."
Radwanska improved her record to 15-3 on the year, with the three losses to top-ranked Victoria Azarenka. She pulled out of the Dubai tournament because of an ankle injury.
Radwanska said she was pleased with her move in the rankings, but there's a long way to the top spot.
"Well, you know, yeah, I'm 5, but it's still far from being No. 1," Radwanska said. "Looks pretty close, but it's still far."
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