There will be a new WTA no.1 next week after top seed Angelique Kerber crashed out 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, to Garbine Muguruza in a thrilling 142-minute fourth round encounter at Wimbledon.
When SW19 released their Monday order of play, an uproar erupted over the decision to place Angelique Kerber and Garbine Muguruza on an outside court. Their last-16 clash was a battle of the titans. On one side was top seed Kerber, bidding to maintain her world No.1 ranking and reach her first grand slam quarter-final of the season. On the other was Muguruza, a former Wimbledon finalist chasing after her first title since her triumph at the 2016 French Open.
” I think was a good match. I know I won it, but I think was a good match for both of us. You know, we battle out there.” Muguruza said after the match. “Every point we give our best. Every match that I play against Kerber is like that.”
From the onset, both players raced out of the blocks with a series of outstanding rallies between them. During the early stages of the match Kerber was already fist-pumping after winning points as her opponent opted for an all-or-nothing aggressive approach. Matching each other game-by-game, it was Muguruza’s aggression that initially resulted in her downfall, when her 18 winners were nearly cancelled out by 15 unforced errors during the opening set. In contrast, Kerber’s tally was 9 winners and only 2 unforced errors.
As the Spaniard served at 4-4, three consecutive errors moved Kerber into pole position as she broke to serve for the opening set. Still, the quality of the match didn’t fade as the German battled to the 6-4 lead by hitting a smash at the end of a sincilating 23-shot rally on set point.
Kerber’s defensive play was similar to that of a brick wall with Muguruza plotting a way to knock it down and get herself back into the match. It was finally broken towards the closing stages of set No.2. 14th seed Muguruza finally regained some confidence in her shot-making and was less impatient during the rallies. As a consequence, she was able to strike when it mattered the most. Moving half-way up the court, a clear forehand winner levelled proceedings at a set apiece, prompting coach Conchita Martinez to stand up and clench both of her fists.
Muguruza’s heavy investments in levelling the match began to take its toll as the German won eight out of the first nine point in the decider to race to a 2-0 lead. Still, it was not enough to tame her in the blockbuster clash.
Twice Muguruza battled back from a break down before moving ahead 4-3 and leading for the first time in the match. Her coach Martinez didn’t know whether to laugh or cry as she appeared to be even more apprehensive than the Spaniard was on the court. Closing in on the upset, Muguruza failed to convert her first two match points due to an over ambitious return followed by a carefully positioned shot by Kerber. It was third time lucky for Muguruza after a double-handed backhand from the top seed smashed into the net.
“I wasn’t worried. I thought that I was playing good. I knew she’s also a very good player. She’s No. 1, of course.” The 23-year-old said about coming back from a set down. “I was just happy. I Just continue playing like this and I will have my chance. That’s what I was telling myself.”
“I was ready for a battle. I was ready to expect everything, you know, three-hour match, not three-hour crazy, long points, everything.”
Fighting her way into the quarter-finals, Muguruza has given Simona Halep a golden opportunity of becoming world No.1. The Romanian must reach at least the semifinals of the tournament to achieve the sport. If she fails, Karolina Pliskova will headline the women’s tour.
Kuznetsova next
The world No.15 will next play Svetlana Kuznetsova in the last eight at Wimbledon. Kuznetsova defeated Agnieszka Radwanska is her fourth round match. Muguruza refers to the Russian as somebody with ‘a Spanish style of play.’
“I am looking forward for the match. We played this year at the beginning. All the matches that I play against her, they’re tough. We practice a lot of times in Spain together.” She said about playing Kuznetsova.
“I think if she’s here, she’s playing great. I think today she did good. So, yeah, I’m expecting a difficult match.”
Muguruza leads their head-to-head 3-1 and defeated Kuznetsova in straight sets earlier this year at their Brisbane International.
