Naomi Osaka (#3) saved two match points, world no. 2 Simona Halep set up an exciting quarter-final clash vs. Serena Williams after both earned gritty three-set wins over Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka respectively. Elsewhere, Aslan Karatsev’s historic run continued against all odds while Novak Djokovic continued his unbeaten H2H streak at Milos Raonic’s expense.
Continue reading
Tag: Garbiñe Muguruza
Australian Open 2021: Ashleigh Barty, Dan Evans and more clinch warm-up event titles
Ashleigh Barty capped her long-awaited return with a win over Garbine Muguruza in the Yarra Valley Classic final, while Britain’s Dan Evans has a new career-high world ranking (#26) after beating Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime in his warm-up event final. It’s provided the pair with welcome preparation ahead of the Australian Open, which gets underway in a matter of hours. Continue reading
WTA Abu Dhabi: Kenin saves match point to beat Putintseva, Sakkari next in quarter-finals
Sofia Kenin (#1) survived match point to fight back, edging the second set tiebreak before winning in three tightly-contested sets: 3-6, 7-6, 6-4 – vs. Yulia Putintseva (#13), to book an intriguing quarter-final matchup with Maria Sakkari on Monday, who blasted past Garbine Muguruza 7-5, 6-4 three hours earlier as the action from WTA’s Abu Dhabi 500 event continues. Continue reading
WTA Abu Dhabi: Sakkari recovers to beat Gauff in straight sets, Muguruza next
Despite troublesome serving and a sluggish start, Maria Sakkari (#9) recovered from 3-0 down early in the first set to emphatically overcome American teenager Cori Gauff in straight sets: 7-5, 6-2 – setting up a third-round WTA Abu Dhabi encounter vs. Garbine Muguruza (#5) tomorrow. Continue reading
Garbine Muguruza: Excited for new tennis season, reassured of safety in Australia
Today features the start of 2021’s first WTA 500 event of the year from Abu Dhabi, with world number 15 Muguruza among those battling for the title as preparation for next month’s Australian Open. A beaten finalist in Melbourne last year, the Spaniard is excited at returning for the start of a new season, one where she’s reassured by health protocols and attention to detail. Continue reading
Who said what? Murray, Muguruza, Schwartzman and more on preparing to return
Andy Murray and world no. 12 Roberto Bautista Agut, as seen in the picture above, are among the high-profile tennis players that have spoken recently about their plans to return – with the US Open on everyone’s minds.
Analysis: Will Serena continue to dominate upon her return?
It’s a tough question to ask, and one that is increasingly harder to answer as time passes. Serena Williams’ 36th birthday was earlier this week and in a few months, she’ll make the long-awaited return to professional tennis after having had her first child.
Rio 2016: Garbiñe Muguruza vows to do everything to bring a medal for Spain
Ahead of next month’s Olympic Games in Rio, the talented Spaniard has publicly vowed that she’ll do “everything possible” in order to get a medal for Spain.
Wimbledon: Angelique Kerber says she’s playing her best tennis ahead of final
In an intriguing rematch from their encounter at the Australian Open, Kerber will be hoping that history repeats itself – and she can upset the world number one once more to win another Grand Slam title.
WTA Indian Wells: Christina McHale excellent in straight-sets victory over Garbiñe Muguruza
The world number four struggled to build any momentum, and was frustrated by an excellent opponent in the form of Christina McHale on Saturday afternoon.
First set nervy, fast-paced and unpredictable
Considering her inconsistent form in 2016, it came as no surprise that Muguruza found herself constantly on the back foot as she tried to contend with McHale’s direct style of play, where the plucky American was aiming to hit forehand winners whenever the chance arose. Rallies were fast-paced and so unpredictable that you could virtually hear the crowd holding their breath, but as McHale found some momentum with her array of shot-selection, it was obvious that Muguruza was starting to get frustrated and understandably so.
