(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Agnieszka Radwanska, a player who relies on exquisite touch and precision, came up short against rising Russian star Daria Kasatkina on the opening day of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
Radwanska, who won the Dubai championships in 2012, couldn't prevent the 20-year-old Russian from winning 7-5 6-4 on Monday.
It was another early exit for the 28-year-old player from Poland who lost in the second round of the Qatar Open last week to eventual champion Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic.
"Yes, of course. I mean, losing the first round in any tournament is very disappointing. She was a really tricky opponent for these tricky conditions here. So wasn't easy," Radwanska said after her defeat.
"Obviously this tournament is always very strong, so you're not really playing against players that's in top 40. So you cannot really expect good draw."
A foot injury led to her inconsistent run in 2017 and the 2012 Wimbledon finalist admits that it's going to be an uphill battle for her to regain her best form.
"Of course, everything changes. Especially I think physically it's also tougher than it was, especially playing the young ones. Intensity in the game, it's always bigger," she said on Monday.
"You are playing those longer, good matches more. So sometimes, you know, physically and mentally, it's tough.
"I think everything needs to work good to play good match and to win the match. So obviously it's not getting any easier.
"Well, I mean, it's going to be difficult. Everything is changing going forward. We can see a lot of good players playing at a really high level. It's not about one or two tournaments to come back. Maybe if you win the Grand Slam, you have 2000 points. Otherwise it's always going to take time," said Radwanska whose ranking has now fallen to 31.
But the former world number two believes she can still get back into the top 10 of the women's game.
"Well, of course, you know, coming back to top 10 would be great. That's the goal, of course. So yeah, well, I'm not really thinking about what to do in every tournament. Of course, wherever you go, you want to win," she said.
"So, well, I think we'll see in the end of the year how it's going to be.
"But yes, physically actually I'm feeling much better than last year. Actually November, December and January, those three months just took me to be healthy again, get back to my weight, just to stay healthy without any sickness. So actually now I start to feel better. So everything takes time.
"I'm still working very hard, doing a lot of things on and off the court. So we'll see."
Radwanska then revealed her admiration for Kvitova who has made an incredible comeback after a horrific knife attack, winning two titles this year.
"I think, you know, she played amazing in Doha. Of course, she kept playing at the same level till the end. You know, winning against Caro (Wozniacki) and Garbine (Muguruza), it's a pretty huge thing. All those tight matches, long matches. So, well done. She deserve it."
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