Top seed Radwanska falls in Eastbourne

EASTBOURNE, United Kingdom: Dominika Cibulkova stepped up her bid for a career-first grass title on Friday, completing a rain-hit match to knock top seed Agnieszka Radwanska out of the WTA Eastbourne event 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-3.

Australian Open finalist Cibulkova from Slovakia, trailed 6-4, 3-2 when their quarter-final was forced off court at Devonshire Park on a rainy Thursday night.

Sunshine and a stiff wind presented fresh challenges as Cibulkova advanced with her upset on Friday.

“I’m very happy with this win. Aggie and I have played lots of times (this was their 12th) but never on grass,” she said.

“Conditions made it difficult but I found myself playing better and better with each game.”

The last two overdue quarter-finals also wrapped up with Czech tenth seed Karolina Pliskova defeating Russian Elena Vesnina 6-1, 6-3 and British 11th seed Johanna Konta, an Australian Open semi-finalist, overcoming former champion Ekaterina Makarova 7-6 (7/5), 6-4.