Radwanska tops Pironkova, books 2nd-round berth
Third-seeded Angieszka Radwanska is off to the second round at Melbourne Park after beating Tsvetana Pironkova in Tuesday's night cap at the Rod Laver Arena.
The first Polish player to make a Grand Slam singles final (2012 Wimbledon), Radwanska now qualifies for the second round at the Aussie for the seventh successive time after seeing off Bulgarian Pironkova, 6-1, 4-6, 6-1.
Radwanska improved her career record over 64th-ranked Pironkova to 10-3.
Full credit to Pironkova's effort in the second set, though a foray into continuity Tuesday wasn't to be after Radwanska bookended the middle stanza with two utterly dominant sets.
Always the bridesmaid, never the bride, Radwanska - like first-round loser Simona Halep - has long been pegged for Grand Slam success, only to wilt when it matters most.
After getting bounced a year ago in the semi-finals by Serena Williams, Radwanska is again on course to duel with the second-seeded American should matters go to plan. However, fifth-seeded emerging Czech and former Aussie Open girls' winner Karolina Pliskova may have something to say about that.
In the meantime, Radwanska will next play Croatian Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, who topped Wang Qiang of China 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 earlier Tuesday.