Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland kisses the trophy for photographers after she won the singles final against Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic at the WTA tennis finals in Singapore on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Joseph Nair)
The Associated Press
SINGAPORE (AP) - Agnieszka Radwanska beat fourth-seeded Petra Kvitova 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 Sunday at the WTA Finals to clinch the biggest title of her career.
The fifth-seeded Pole's previous best at the season-ending championship was reaching the semifinals in 2012 and 2014.
"Definitely I didn't expect it at all," a tearful Radwanska said.
Radwanska is the first player to win the tournament after a losing 1-2 record in the round-robin stage - and the first Polish winner.
"I lost first two matches, but it's not like I was playing bad," Radwanska said. "Then I think I got used to conditions, used to the surface."
Radwanska led by a set and 3-1 in the second before Kvitova settled into the match to win seven of the next eight games.
"I really played well in the second when I came back and tried to push her a little bit," Kvitova said.
The Czech led 2-0 in the decider before Radwanska fought back to 3-3 and then won the last three games to take the title in 2 hours, 5 minutes.
Prior to this week, Radwanska hadn't beaten a top five player all season. This week she defeated three in a row on the way to the title: No. 2 Simona Halep, No. 3 Garbine Muguruza and No. 5 Kvitova.
Radwanska is the first WTA Finals champion not to have previously won a Grand Slam title since Amelie Mauresmo in 2005. The Frenchwoman won the Australian Open and Wimbledon the following year.
Kvitova, a two-time Wimbledon champion, now holds a 6-3 career record against Radwanska. Five of their meetings took place at the WTA Finals with Radwanska leading those encounters 3-2.
Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland reacts as she beats Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic to win the singles final at the WTA tennis finals in Singapore Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Joseph Nair)
The Associated Press
Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland poses with the trophy after she won the singles final against Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic at the WTA tennis finals in Singapore on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Joseph Nair)
The Associated Press
Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland, right, and Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic, left, hold their trophies at the victory ceremony after Radwanska won their singles final match at the WTA tennis finals in Singapore on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Joseph Nair)
The Associated Press
Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland makes a forehand return against Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic during the singles final at the WTA tennis finals in Singapore Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Joseph Nair)
The Associated Press
Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland celebrates a point against Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic during the singles final at the WTA tennis finals in Singapore on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Joseph Nair)
The Associated Press
Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic reacts after missing a return against Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland during the singles final at the WTA tennis finals in Singapore on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Joseph Nair)
The Associated Press
Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic eyes the ball as she makes a return against Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland during the singles final at the WTA tennis finals in Singapore on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Joseph Nair)
The Associated Press