By Jim Fuller special to EmiratesUSOpenSeries.com
NEW HAVEN - For more than a set on Tuesday evening Agnieszka Radwanska’s shoulder was speaking just one word to her: No.
After losing eight of the nine games in a second-round match against qualifier Olga Govortsova at the New Haven Open, Radwanska listened to her body and retired from the match.
Radwanska admitted that her right shoulder was bothering her during recent weeks but she opted to try to play through the pain in New Haven to get some extra match preparation before the US Open.
"Too much tennis," is how Radwanska explained the issue with her shoulder.
"I put a lot of (pressure) on the shoulder the last couple of weeks and my shoulder is saying 'no' sometimes," Radwanska said.
"I have played a lot of tournaments this year. I was doing well which is a good thing but sometimes I don't want to do too much."
Radwanska is hoping the combination of rest and treatment will allow her to play in the US Open.
"I hope so. I am thinking of getting better," said Radwanska, who moved up to a career-high No. 2 in the WTA rankings this week. "I will get some rest and hopefully I will be ready for Monday."
Radwanska wasn’t sure the shoulder issue would result in her playing fewer tournaments next year.
"It is always going to be something," Radwanska said. "It is 10 months (of playing) so we play pretty much every week - if not a tournament we are still practicing."
Govortsova, ranked No. 82, had to win three qualifying matches. She beat her doubles partner Vera Dushevina in the final round of qualifying on Sunday.
Since Dushevina got into the field as a lucky loser and happened to draw Govortsova, the good friends played again on Monday. Govortsova won both matches in three sets. Now she faces seventh-seeded Maria Kirilenko in the quarterfinals.
"I think it is my fifth year here," Govortsova said. "I've had a few first-round wins here and I played my (doubles) partner twice and it was a very tough two matches. I think it is going to help me."