Garbine Muguruza battles past Veronika Kudermetova 7-5 4-6 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals in Dubai.
The Spaniard claimed her 13th victory of 2020 in a hard-fought match against Russian Veronika Kudermetova in 2 hours and 25 minutes.
There was little to separate the two players but the Australian Open finalist used her confidence and experience to edge into the last eight.
Five breaks of serve were enough for Muguruza as she continues to make a big statement under Conchita Martinez’s guidance.
After her win, Muguruza claimed more work needed to be done in order to win matches more convincingly, “There are a lot of things that I could have done better,” Muguruza told The National.
“But I’m excited that I gave myself another opportunity to be in the quarter-finals. I was just staying in the fight, not giving up until the last point, because she was playing great.”
After a couple of tough years on tour, the Spaniard seems to have found her best tennis when it matters as she aims for the top of tennis once again.
Next for the Spaniard is the in-form American Jennifer Brady, who managed to edge out Roland Garros finalist Marketa Vondrousova 4-6 6-4 6-1.
Although Muguruza will be favourite to reach the semi-finals, the world number 16 knows the threat that awaits her tomorrow, “When you’re in the quarter-finals, you’re playing girls that are progressing through the tournament,” the 26 year old said.
“(Brady) is playing good and I’m excited to play her for the first time to get to know her tennis.”
There were also wins for Aryna Sabalenka, Petra Martic and Elena Rybakina on Wednesday in Dubai as the quarter-final line-up looks set to be a mixture of variety and power.
