Radwanska cruises to Rogers Cup title

Agnieszka Radwanska tamed Venus Williams 6-4, 6-2 to win the Rogers Cup in Montreal.

The first win of the season for Radwanska, it provided a timely jolt of confidence going into Flushing Meadows and the year’s final grand slam with 11 of her 14 career titles having come on hard courts.

“One of my biggest title,” said Radwanska, who has registered a long line of firsts for tennis in her country, including Poland’s first grand slam finalist and first Pole to win a WTA Tour title. “As you can see in the draw had pretty all top players. So very, very special title for me.”

Williams, a twice US Open champion, will also be buoyed by her performance in Montreal with a projected return on Monday to the world rankings top-20 for the first time since March 2013.

The tournament also pushed Williams past the $30 million in career earnings, joining an elite club that includes her sister Serena and Maria Sharapova.

“I totally wanted to be in the top 20 like earlier this year,” said Williams. “I’ve been having goals. It’s always a goal in mind for myself and hopefully most tennis players.”