Garbine Muguruza wins WTA Finals title

Guadalajara, November 18

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Spain’s Garbine Muguruza claimed her first WTA Finals title on Wednesday, defeating Estonian Anett Kontaveit 6-3 7-5 here.

After trading breaks early in the match, the sixth seed chipped away at Kontaveit’s defences to convert on break point in the seventh game, as the Estonian put up four double faults throughout the first set, got roughly half of her first serves in and struggled with errors.

Playing in the biggest match of her career, Kontaveit regained her composure in the second set, converting on break point in the seventh game. But she could not retain the momentum as two-time Grand Slam winner Muguruza refused to give in, firing off a mighty forehand winner in the 10th game to level the scores and keep the set going.

Muguruza, who won nearly 70% of her first-serve points across the entire match, again broke Kontaveit’s serve to clinch the affair, crumpling to the court with her hands over her face before greeting her opponent for a hug at the net.

It was Muguruza’s fourth appearance at the season-ending finals and her first in the championship match. Her win gave Spain the first-ever WTA Finals title and will see her end the year as the world No. 3 when the rankings are updated on Monday.

“This is just another proof that I think I’m actually in the best moment of my career,” Muguruza said, adding that she will be celebrating with some tequila.

Barbora Krejcikova and her Czech partner Katerina Siniakova remained undefeated at Guadalajara, the top seeds taking down Hsieh Su-wei of Taiwan and Elise Mertens of Belgium 6-3 6-4 in the final to win the doubles title.

Zverev vs Djokovic

Turin: Alexander Zverev booked his place in the last-four of the ATP Finals where he will face world No. 1 Novak Djokovic after a 6-2 6-4 win over Hubert Hurkacz today. The German fired 22 winners and closed out the match in one hour and two minutes, the fastest of the tournament so far, and joins defending champion Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals from the Red Group.

He will face Green Group winner Djokovic on Saturday for the fifth time this year. — Reuters