Kontaveit, Muguruza to Face Off for WTA Finals Title

November 17, 2021 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Kontaveit_crop
Photo Credit: Darren Carroll/USTA

 

The championship match of the WTA Finals in Guadalajara, Mexico is set after the semifinal action on Tuesday, and it will see Spain’s Garbine Muguruza face off against Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit for the title on Wednesday.

Muguruza defeated her countrywoman Paula Badosa 6-3, 6-3 in the first semifinal, becoming only the second Spaniard to reach the singles championship of the WTA Finals, the first being Arantxa Sanchez Vicaro in 1993.

“I think it’s the best match that I played so far here in Guadalajara,” said Muguruza. “It was a tough match facing another Spaniard in the semifinals…we’ve never faced each other before, so it was tricky.”

The win was the 45th of Muguruza’s season, the highest total she has reached since 2017. She also continues her success competing in Mexico, where she is now 13-2 in main draw matches in her career.

“Every time I came here to Mexico, I always feel very welcome, very happy. The environment just clicks with me. Having a [WTA Finals in Mexico] played this year, it was like, ‘Okay, Garbine, this is your opportunity. You got to give it all, no matter if you win or lose. You have to get out of here and feel like, man, I gave all my energy.’ I think I’m doing that.”

She will look to improve on both of those win totals when she meets Kontaveit on Wednesday. In her semifinal, Kontaveit hung on to defeat Greece’s Maria Sakkari 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 and advance to compete for the biggest title of her career.

“I still can’t quite believe that I’m even here and I’m playing against the best players at such a prestigious tournament,” said Kontaveit. “I’m just so proud of myself that I managed to do this and so happy to be competing at this level and just trying to take it all in.”

Muguruza is 3-2 all-time against Kontaveit, including a victory just a couple of days ago in the final stage of round-robin play.

 


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Century
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