Radwanska claims WTA Finals crown; Federer edges Nadal in Basel

Story highlights

Agnieszka Radwanska claims WTA Finals

Beats Petra Kvitova in final

Roger Federer takes Basel crown

Edges arch rival Rafael Nadal

CNN  — 

Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska captured the biggest title of her career Sunday as she beat Petra Kvitova for the WTA Finals crown in Singapore.

Radwanska prevailed 6-2 4-6 6-3 after a tense battle, claiming the final three games of the deciding set with solid, virtually mistake-free play.

“It means everything. It couldn’t be any better. I think that was the biggest day in my life,” she told the official WTA website.

Radwanska only secured a place in the eight-strong elite field after a late season surge and then went 1-2 in the round robin section to scrape into the semifinals.

“A few weeks ago I didn’t even know I’d have a chance to be here, and there you go. It’s just an incredible day for me,” she added.

A semifinal upset win over Garbine Muguruza of Spain had taken fifth seed Radwanska into the title match, while Kvitova, who also went 1-2 in the round robin, stunned Maria Sharapova.

Read: Kvitova knocks out Sharapova

Former Wimbledon champion Kvitova trailed by a set and 2-0 before claiming eight of the next 10 games to level at a set all, but could not maintain that momentum.

Radwanska made just five unforced errors in the entire match against 41 winners but 53 unforced errors for Czech star Kvitova.

World number one Serena Williams sat out the end of season finale, while No.2 ranked Simona Halep exited at the group stage after losing to Radwanska in their third match.

The doubles title went to all-conquering Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza, who beat Muguruza and Carla Suarez Navarro in straight sets.

Federer’s Basel triumph

Meanwhile, on the ATP Tour there was another knife edge battle between old foes Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the final of the Basel Open.

Federer eventually prevailed 6-3 5-7 6-3 to claim his seventh title at his home town event and secure his first win over his Spanish nemesis in over three years.

It was his sixth title of an outstanding season for the 34-year-old Swiss, who was claiming the 88th title of his remarkable career.

Federer finally shrugged off Nadal in the deciding set, improving his record against him on indoor surfaces to 5-1.

But Nadal is clearly returning to near his best after injury woes and loss of form as acknowledged by Federer.

“Rafa had a great week,” he said.

“It was special for us to have had this match and I hope we play many more finals.

“To win this one is incredible, a match with Nadal is always special. It was very important for me.”

Both men are building up to a challenge for the finale of the ATP Tour in London later this month, having already booked their places in the eight-man field.