This week in Singapore however, two players – Garbine Muguruza and Lucie Safarova – have qualified for the WTA Finals in both singles and doubles with Carla Suarez Navarro barely missing out on a spot in singles, but is playing the doubles alongside Muguruza.
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Simona Halep breezed past the Number 7 seed, Flavia Pennetta 6-0 6-3 in convincing fashion which took her just over one hour to avenge her US Open semi-final loss.
Garbine Muguruza has been earmarked as a future star of women’s tennis and after a breakthrough season that saw the Spaniard reach a maiden grand slam final, the 22-year-old is happy to take her steady ascent towards the top in her stride.
The Czech, ranked ninth in the world, triumphed in straight sets on clay at the French Open quarter-finals earlier in June.
“At Roland Garros she played an awesome match – I played a good match also – but this time, I don’t know, I just wanted to win so much”. “She can win many matches, many important tournaments”. “Yeah, but I played the tiebreak at the end very good, so that was the key for the match at the end”.
Muguruza may call herself a rookie but many consider her to be a title favourite, as she is the in-form player at the moment following her trophy-winning run in Beijing and final showing in Wuhan.
Czech Petra Kvitova will face Germany’s Angelique Kerber in the other White Group tie later on Monday. I’m very excited. I’m kind of rookie.
It may be tough, but it’s a conscious choice – just like how she chooses to work constantly to get to where she is now. Safarova doesn’t give up and recovers till 4-5, then the Spaniard reacts incredible way and wins two points in a row and achieves the match converting the first match point.
“I think I earned my place here in Singapore”. However, the German, who missed out on last year’s event, doubled this tally by withstanding a late rally to upset No. 4 seed Kvitova, 6-2, 7-6(3). But she sailed a forehand long as Muguruza broke for the second time, collecting the opening set in 48 minutes.
Safarova said Muguruza’s superior serving made the difference, as well as an injection of confidence after hitting her purple patch of form.
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“I think it helps me a lot, playing doubles, to be a better player and learn [more] things… but it’s hard, really hard”.
