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By virtue of winning her 16th WTA title at the Tianjin Open, Agnieszka Radwanska has become the fifth player to qualify for the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global, joining Simona Halep, Maria Sharapova, Garbiñe Muguruza and Petra Kvitova in the elite field.

"I'm excited to play in Singapore this year," she said. "I have good memories from last year - the fans are amazing, so I can't wait to get out there and compete against the best players in the world."

Having already been part of the elite eight in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, 2015 will be Radwanska's fifth year in a row to qualify. Kvitova is the only other player to qualify the last five years in a row.

Radwanska was also an alternate at the WTA Finals in 2008 and 2009, playing one match each year.

Want to see Radwanska go for season-ending glory?

Agnieszka Radwanska edged Petra Kvitova in a thriller to win the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global - the biggest title of the former World No.2's career.

Watch highlights, interviews and much more video from Singapore right here on wtatennis.com!

It was a true underdog story - not only did she leave the US Open three spots out of even qualifying for the event, but after battling just to make it into the field, she was a longshot just to make the final four, having lost her first two round robin matches to Maria Sharapova and Flavia Pennetta.

But a win over Simona Halep in her third round robin match and a little help from Sharapova took her to the semifinals, and she pulled off another surprise there, grinding past Garbine Muguruza in three dramatic sets - her first victory over the Spanish WTA Rising Star in five attempts this year.

And then, longtime rival and fellow former No.2 Kvitova in the final - Kvitova was also playing on a new breath of life, going 1-2 in the round robin portion herself before reviving her game and battling her way into the final, pulling off a stunning upset over the red-hot Sharapova in the semifinals.

Radwanska came out on fire, capitalizing on a few untimely unforced errors from the Kvitova racquet to build an early 6-2, 2-0 lead. Kvitova started to find the range on her huge lefty game, winning eight of the next 10 games to sneak out the second set, 6-4, and build a 2-0 lead in the third set.

But the No.5-seeded Radwanska had one last fight left, breaking back to get to 3-all and then pulling away from there, winning three more games to finish off the No.4-seeded Kvitova, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3.

"A few weeks ago I didn't even know I'd have a chance to be here, and there you go. It's just an incredible day for me," an emotional Radwanska said in her on-court interview after the match.

"It means everything. It couldn't be any better. I think that was the biggest day in my life."

Just how well did Radwanska play in the final? Five - just five - unforced errors the entire match, with three times the winners (15). Kvitova, meanwhile, finished with 41 winners to 53 unforced errors.

"Well, the serve wasn't a huge weapon today, there were lots of ups and downs and lots of breaks!" Radwanska said. "But in the important moments I was really doing the right things, I think. Of course I had my chances in the second set, but it doesn't matter how I won. I'm extremely happy about that!"

Before this, Radwanska's biggest titles were Premier Mandatory-level titles at Beijing in 2011 and Miami in 2012. This was her first title at one of the five biggest events on the WTA calendar (the four Grand Slams and the WTA Finals). It's the 17th overall WTA title of her long, successful career.

After the clay season, the alarm bells were ringing for Agnieszka Radwanska. A few early losses saw her dip from No.6 to No.14 on the WTA Rankings - she had been a Top 10 fixture for years. It was a development no one expected, and everyone was wondering how she'd react.

It turns out when the going gets tough for the Polish trailblazer, she gets going.

"The beginning of the year wasn't great. But it doesn't matter how you start, it matters how you end," Radwanska said. "Everything changed from the grass court season. I started feeling much better about my game; I was becoming more confident on the court. I won a few tight matches and it really helped me a lot. I started making good decisions and hitting the right shots at the important moments again."

Radwanska tore up the grass court season, reaching the semifinals of Nottingham, finals of Eastbourne and semifinals of Wimbledon, made another three quarterfinals during the summer and then saved her very best for last - she won her first three WTA titles of the year at Tokyo, Tianjin and the WTA Finals.

Having gone 15-13 from January to May - a stretch that saw her earn 926 ranking points - Radwanska went 36-12 from June to October, earning over four times the ranking points as the first half, 4037.

To top it off, the WTA Finals title was the biggest title of her entire career.

Speaking to the press after beating Petra Kvitova for that title, Radwanska was asked whether she thought she'd be at this point midway through the season. "Absolutely not," she said. "I definitely didn't expect to be sitting here with this title. It's unbelievable. I definitely didn't expect to be here at all."

With her triumph at the WTA's crown jewel event, Radwanska rose to No.5 on the year-end rankings, her third Top 5 finish in the last four years - she finished 2012 ranked No.4 and 2013 at No.5.

Even bigger picture? If history is anything to go by, a Grand Slam title is likely on the horizon.

Radwanska is the 19th woman to win the WTA Finals, and 17 of the first 18 all finished their careers with at least one Grand Slam title. The only exception? The 1982 WTA Finals winner, Sylvia Hanika. And anyone who didn't have a major when they won the WTA Finals had one within three years.

The last player who didn't have a major when they won the WTA Finals, Amélie Mauresmo in 2005, won her first major at the next major - the Australian Open in 2006. She won Wimbledon that year too.

"For sure that gives me more confidence, especially that in a Grand Slam you have to beat a couple of top players in a row, which I did here," Radwanska said. "And here I think it's even harder, because there were just eight of us, and you don't really have any first rounds to get used to the courts.

"But it's definitely a good start - I'll definitely try to do that next year!"

Agnieszka Radwanska def Anna-Lena Friedsam 6-7(6) 6-1 7-5

Q. How do you think you got out of that one?
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Well, good question. A bit lucky in the end. Just one break. The serve maybe was not the key in that match. But still, this is the kind of score that is very typical to come back.

I had no choice, just to fight till the end for each point. That's what I did.

Q. When you saw she was hurting physically, was it your tactic to try to get her to run?
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Yes, well, I think you're trying to make her run definitely. But, yes, anyway, I think, as we could see the worse for her was jumping, so it mean serve.

Well, just bad luck. Was definitely the score that you want to be healthy and be hundred percent. Obviously have to ask her what happened, why, what was going on. I think just the cramps.

Well, happens.

Q. What goes through your head when you see her like that?
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Yeah, well, it's tough because you know someone is struggling. But you really have to play your game because someone is still fighting. Sometimes you just don't want to do the stupid mistakes in those moments. Then the hand is a bit shaking. You want it too much. Then it's kind of weird situation.

So I just wanted to play my game and not really do anything different. So that's what I was trying to do.

Q. Have you ever heard a player crying before? Was it difficult to see her cry?
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Well, I know what a cramp is. I know how it's like. I never had that during the match, but definitely it's hurting, it's painful. Of course, it's hard to see that. But on the other hand side I want to win the match, so you keep going, and yeah.

Q. From your side of the net, what is your read on the match? How did you find yourself that close to bowing out?
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Well, definitely slow start for me. That first set just slip away so badly. I came back 5-4 and set points on my serve. That was my fault. I didn't take it. End up like that.

Second set was just fast, easy. She also started playing much slower. I could just play my game.

Then suddenly just something turned around in that third set and I was 5-2 down. I was saying before, only thing you can do is just fight till the end, especially most of the time the opponent is also getting nervous in that kind of moment. That's what happen I think, as well.

I just used that and win those last couple games.

Q. Physically how do you feel after a long match like that and the first week is done?
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Well, I think much better than her. I'm good. Definitely playing every second day, it's okay. It's not tough. Obviously this kind of match, when you play two-and-a-half hour, of course it's never easy for next day. But I think I'm going to be ready for the next one. It's not a problem. Tomorrow I'm going to have a lot of treatment, a lot of rest, to be hundred percent for after tomorrow.

Q. Are you glad to have had a tough match, to make you think you can actually get through the second week?
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Well, to be honest, of course, gives me confidence that I won something that maybe I shouldn't in the end. But if I have to choose, I prefer two-set matches. 1 hour 15 minutes is perfect. But sometimes it's not really going your way and you not doing the right things in the right moments, ending like that.

But I'm just very happy that I could win the last point.

Q. You could very well end up playing Daria Gavrilova. How much notice have you taken of her in the first week?
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Well, first of all, I was playing her two weeks ago in Shenzhen. I know she's playing really good tennis. Is not going to be an easy one. She definitely playing much better. Very good this year. She definitely playing much better than her ranking is. So we have to always be careful playing those kind of girls.

She definitely was playing great tennis today and I was really in trouble.

Q. Is it difficult looking forward to the quarterfinal playing a young player in front of her home fans?
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Well, it's never easy to play someone from the country that we playing. That's what happens sometimes. I know that the crowd is not going to be with me. But, well, you just have to play your game still.

Q. Have you given any thought to mixed doubles at the Olympics? There are several Polish doubles players that I'm sure would like to win your heart and your partnership.
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Well, yes, I definitely want to play more than the singles in the Olympic Games, that's for sure. It's still couple months to go. The ranking are changing a lot. So I think I'll have to decide just right before that and see what are my options.

Q. Even though it's a medal competition, it's not something you necessarily prepare for a lot until right before Rio?
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Well, I can only prepare in the Grand Slams. But on other hand side I really want to focus on my singles. Well, I think the last time was Hopman Cup that I played mixed doubles and actually I did pretty well. So maybe one-and-a-half-year break maybe is going to be good, as well. Let's hope that way.

Q. This has been a good slam for you in terms of consistency, getting through to the second week. As we go into the quarterfinals, where is your confidence right now going into the next round?
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Yes, I'm just very, very happy to do another quarterfinal here. Always feeling good here. I really like the atmosphere. I like the courts. Been great.

So I just hope I can go further and do one step forward, make the final. But, well, every match is going to be for sure not easier. So I just try to keep it up, play better and better because that's what I need for the second week of the Grand Slam.

Q. Does it help you that it's the slam at the start of the season, more energy, your body is fit compared to maybe the US Open?
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Yes, well, I think so. Of course, after off-season, body is fresh, well-prepared, healthy. But, yeah, definitely you want to do good from the beginning. You ready to go. So maybe there is something that is easier for everyone to play Australian Open than US Open.

But I think this individual thing, so maybe some of the girls prefer other conditions. But definitely I'm the one who going to pick this one.

Q. Talk us through that today. The conditions? The warmth, everything. Was anything distracting apart from Suarez Navarro at the other end of the court?
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Well, the first match is always tough. Sun is pretty much in the worst place when you're serving. Kind of used to that and I know it's going to happen, especially when you're first on.

Well, definitely hot today. I think we also knew that we have the same conditions, both of us.

So I was feeling good on court anyway, so all good.

Q. First game on RLA today, right? Disappointing you haven't played there so far in the tournament?
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: I think I did. Or not really.

Q. Bouchard.
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Yeah, against Bouchard I was there. Night session. I was on every court, so pretty good.

Q. Taking much interest in the Sharapova and Williams match that's on court at the moment? Will you watch that when you're finished or take off and do something else?
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Well, to be honest, I know those two very well. Obviously it's probably a great match out there. Of course I'm going to watch, but, well, but I think you're used to watching those players that you were watching for so many years and also playing against also so many times, so it doesn't really matter to be honest.

Q. How are you assessing your form at the moment?
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Well, I think it's good, especially that I did semifinals here and I won the tournament before. Couldn't be better so far.

Q. I am sure you are asked this question before, but the WTA Championships, the win by you, does that give you an extra little feeling of steel in your bones coming here, to a Grand Slam?
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Well, on the hindsight, yes, especially that you playing there only against top players, and that give me always more confidence.

But I was saying before, this is new season, new Grand Slam; you're starting over again. So it's not like you winning Champs so you have easier draw or easy way to the semis.

You know, it was very close. I wouldn't be here and playing in this quarterfinal after the fourth round, so doesn't really matter.

Q. Have you caught up on the controversy of the mixed doubles match from Sunday? Have you read about it?
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Yeah, I read about it, but, you know, I don't really have a comment about that.

Q. Your serve, is that the sort of point that Maria and Serena can exploit?
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Yeah, for sure. I didn't serve that good today. I was trying to be focus on that, especially that it was tough on the one hand side.

But definitely when you play someone like Maria or Serena you're trying more. You have to really go for it, yeah.

Q. I know you wear the tape on the shin and the ankle guard all tournament, but did you pick it up in Shenzhen?
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Yes.

Q. And that forced you out of Sydney?
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Yes; same thing.

Q. Obviously managing it each match. What are you doing?
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Well, I mean, it's good. It's getting better, but also it's not perfect because I'm still playing, still going. So it's hard to get rid of it.

But, you know, it's nothing that serious that I can't run or play so it's okay.

Q. Do you feel the gap in the women's tour between the best players and the players struggling to get through the first and second rounds is closing?
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Yes. Actually, I was saying that before, that compared to few years ago, you can really see that. A lot have players having really easy matches, especially top players; now it's every match is tough.

Even those players who are 50, 60, 70, are playing really good tennis. You really have to play solid, consistent, and play kind of 100%. Otherwise, it's not good. The tennis now, it's going that way. It's really small difference between all those players. The young ones or other players are catching up those top 10 players, and it's not getting any easier.

Q. A lot of the women have changed coaches over the season. You changed coaches, too. What were the reasons behind that?
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: I didn't change my coach.

Q. Well, sorry. Consulting. Martina is not advising you anymore.
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Well, it's not like I change my coach. It was just another person on my team. Well, there was a few months with her. Just a little bit different schedule and we have to stop working together. But that was something that I want to try and that was good experience with her for couple months.

Now I have the team, the same team for couple of years and I'm happy with that.

Q. How would you rate that performance? It looked much better than maybe your last round.
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Yeah, well, less dramatic than last round, that's for sure. (Smiling.)
Well, I think I felt a bit more comfortable today on court. Everything was kind of easier for me today. Much better game.
Well, we can see from the score. I really cannot complain about anything.
Q. Going back to that match the other day, was there a moment where you thought that ball was going to land on your side? Did you think that at any moment that net cord on match point...
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Yes, of course. I was kind of like stepping forward already and going to the net. So, you know, you always think that you have such a bad luck, so for sure it's going to go to your side.
Well, I thought it's over.
Q. You did? You genuinely thought it was over?
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: (Nodding.)
Q. Next match against Cibulkova, played just a week or two weeks ago? What do you need to do better on Monday than you did against her in Eastbourne?
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Well, definitely she's playing great tennis at the moment, and she's playing very good on grass. I think I really have to play even better than today to beat her.
She's really showing great game. I definitely have to be aggressive and trying to play my game, not waiting for any mistakes. You know, for sure solid tennis for two or three sets because nothing is going to be for free at this match.
Q. Do you feel more comfortable on the grass now than you did in Eastbourne, or is it the comfort level?
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Well, I think so. I think every match it's helping me to adjust to surface and to have match rhythm. You know, hopefully I can do better than Eastbourne.
Q. What's your kind of overall thoughts of your first week at Wimbledon? How do you sum it up?
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Well, you know, I'm just very happy that I went through. And of course it is always kind of a relief that you made that minimum and you're in the second week. Just very happy about that.
Now I think it's a bit less pressure. You're playing against those top players, so anything can happen.
Q. Have you and Angie talked about the fact that she saved match point in Australia against Doi and she went on to win the title?
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Well, yes, but just then. I didn't actually see her here. Different schedule. No, actually, we just saw each other after her tiebreaker, so we were laughing about that. So it was kind of like similar to my match, her first set.
But, well, that's how it is. It's, I guess, not easy matches. You just have to be better that one particular point.
Q. Could something like that give you extra confidence that if this is meant to be this could be, you know, mean something like that falls your way?
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: You mean that match? Second round?
Q. Yeah, gives you confidence for the rest of the tournament, like this could be my chance?
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Yeah, exactly. I think I was just lucky. When you're saving three match points, you know, I could be actually at home today. And I'm still here.
So of course I think it's less pressure and you kind of feel like, yeah, you were lucky and now you just have another chance to still be here. Yeah.
Q. The weather, you must be very pleased to finish your match and be through now, not have to come back tomorrow.
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Yes, of course. I was very happy that I could finish today with the rain or the darkness. I saw that. Some of the matches were suspended, as well, because it was so late.
Well, of course is always good to have the day off. So, yeah.
Q. You're doing well just finishing your matches just before Poland and Switzerland and now just before darkness falls. Good timing.
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Yeah, for sure, good timing. But actually I was hoping I could finish much earlier the other day just to relax more before that match and come back home and watch.
I just wanted to watch that game so much. So actually I was staying here, upstairs, and I had some dinner after the press conference and then it was 1 All, so I had to stay longer. I didn't want to go home and miss any of the 10 or 15 minutes. And then the penalty. I was sitting upstairs here till 11:00 p.m. Yeah.