Singapore: Maria Sharapova beat Agnieszka Radwanska 4-6 6-3 6-4 in a full-blooded WTA Finals encounter marked by several swings in momentum as both players struggled on serve in the second `Red Group` match of the eight-woman season-ending tournament in Singapore on Sunday.
Sharapova, previously sidelined by leg and arm injuries, had yet to complete a match since Wimbledon, but after shaking off some initial rust, the Russian was back to her very best against Radwanska, playing each point as if her life depended on it.
A single break was enough to give the Pole an edge in the opener, but her excellent retrieving skills could do little to prevent the world number three from rallying for victory once the Russian had raised her intensity levels through the roof.
The match lasted two hours, 48 minutes with a large portion of games going to deuce.
Earlier, Simona Halep kicked off her Red Group campaign for a maiden WTA Finals title with victory over U.S. Open champion Flavia Pennetta.
The `White Group` consists of Garbine Muguruza, Petra Kvitova, Angelique Kerber and Lucie Safarova, with play in that pool starting on Monday.
