Spanish sensation Garbine Muguruza has finished first in the White Group after grabbing her third consecutive victory by defeating two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
Muguruza started the match positively by applying pressure on Kvitova in the first game of the match. The Czech was forced to save three break points before taking the opening game. After both players battling to hold their serve in the first four games of the match, it was the 22-year-old who struck first after she successfully converted her fourth break point to move ahead 3-2. Kvitova responded immediately in the next game by breaking back but she suffered another blow when Muguruza broke for the second consecutive time. This second break was fundamental for the Spaniard as she consolidated the break to move to just one game away from the first set (5-3). The significance of Muguruza taking the first set wasn’t just to have a stronghold in the match, it would also secure her place in the semifinals of the tournament. The task seemed easy for the 22-year-old as she served it out to love after 49 minutes.
The second set was an emotional roller-coaster for both players with six out of seven games consisting of breaks of service. Kvitova opened up a 3-1 lead before Muguruza clawed her way back to 3-3. There was apprehension for Muguruza and her team after the 22-year-old rolled her ankle on the court. Despite the scare, Muguruza didn’t request any medical attention throughout the match. Muguruza had a golden opportunity to break her Czech Rival to lead 5-4 and serve for the match but failed to capitalize after missing two backhands.The duo of costly errors revived Kvitova’s chances of staying alive in Singapore as she broke Muguruza for the fourth time in the set to force the match into a decider.
It was only the second time this week that a match has gone to three sets. The ups and downs of the second set continued into the third with there being continuous changes of momentum. Muguruza was starting to appear sluggish on the court as Kvitova grab the early break, but was once again unable to sustain the lead as Muguruza battled back. Kvitova had her chances to take the match, but every time she tried to lead, she failed to maintain it. The Czech was 4-2 up in the final set before losing her serve to love in the following game. The inconsistency in Kvitova’s game was costly. At 5-5, the world No.3 broke for the 8th time in the match for a chance to serve for her third victory in the tournament. The final game was far from straightforward for the second seed. In a game which consisted of two break points and four match point opportunities, Muguruza held her nerve to close out the match with a masterful shot at the net to grab the victory after two hours and 35 minutes.
Muguruza is the first Spanish woman to reach the last four of the WTA Finals since Arantxa Sanchez Vicario. In her WTA Finals debut the 22-year-old has won all three of her round robin matches to secure her place at the top of the White Group. Kvitova could also qualify for the last four if Lucie Safarova beats Angelique Kerber in straight sets.
During the roller-coaster match, Muguruza produced 4 aces, 32 winners, 28 unforced errors and converted 8/13 break points.
Muguruza is the first player since 2009 to reach the semifinals of both the singles and doubles draw of the event. On Saturday she will play the first singles match and the second doubles match.
