Muguruza crushes Puig in Tokyo

Tokyo, September 20 

New world number one Garbine Muguruza overwhelmed Olympic champion Monica Puig 6-4 6-0 to ease into the quarterfinals of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo today.

Playing her first match since taking over at the top, Spain's Wimbledon champion broke her Puerto Rican opponent twice in the first set and was even more dominant in the second.

Puig dropped serve in the first game of the match but used her impressive court coverage to restore parity in the fourth game before Muguruza seized control of the contest when she broke her opponent again in the next game.

After winning the first set, the 23-year-old Muguruza moved up a gear to race away from her 70th ranked opponent and sealed victory with her third ace after 75 minutes.

Pliskova in quarters

Earlier, second seed Karolina Pliskova appeared to suffer no ill-effects of playing without a coach when the tall Czech swept aside Magda Linette 6-2 6-1 to also reach the last eight. — Reuters