BAK
JF-Expert Member
- Feb 11, 2007
- 124,769
- 288,332
7 July 2012 Last updated at 07:45 GMT
Wimbledon 2012: Radwanska ready for Serena Williams
WIMBLEDON
- Venue: All England Club, London
- Date: 25 June - 8 July
Agnieszka Radwanska will become world number one if she overcomes respiratory illness and beats Serena Williams in the Wimbledon women's final.
The 23-year-old beat Angelique Kerber 6-3 6-4 to reach her first - and Poland's first - Grand Slam final.
"Agnieszka has had a better year than I have. She's been way more consistent than me"
Serena Williams
But Radwanska was forced to pull out of her pre-match news conference because of a severe cough.
Serena has beaten Radwanska both times they have met, the last being in the 2008 quarter-finals at Wimbledon.
The pair's build-up to the match could not be more different.
While Radwanska was laid low by illness after ending Poland's 75-year wait for a Wimbledon singles finalist, Williams teamed up with sister Venus to book a place in the women's doubles final.
Williams, a Centre Court veteran who has rediscovered her best form, blasted a women's Wimbledon record of 24 aces past Victoria Azarenka in a destructive singles semi-final performance she won 6-3 7-6 (8-6).
Serena storms into seventh final
"I will do whatever it takes to make sure I'm ready to play the best I can," said Radwanska.
"She's playing amazing tennis at the moment. I don't really have much to lose, so I'm going to try my best and we'll see," added the third seed.
Nonetheless, sixth seed Williams has been made overwhelming favourite.
But the 30-year-old four-time Wimbledon champion insists she will not underestimate her rival.
"I have to go out there and win," said the American.
Radwanska overpowers Kerber to reach final
"Agnieszka has had a better year than I have. She's been way more consistent than me. She's done really well, so she's ranked higher than me. She deserves to be.
"I have to go out there and fight for this.
"This is by no means going to be easy. Never, ever do I underestimate any opponent. She's out there to try to do her best."