Top seed Garbine Muguruza has got off to a dream start at the Mexican Open with an emphatic 6-1, 6-1, win over home player Renata Zarazua.
After dropping her opening service game, the reigning Wimbledon champion dominated the first round encounter. Winning 82% of the points behind her first serve and producing 18 winners to only 4 unforced errors. In comparison, Zarazua only managed to hit four winners to three unforced errors.
“I’m very happy because this is my third time in Monterrey, and in the previous years I didn’t play very well so finally now I could win a match,” Muguruza said during her on-court interview.
“It was different playing a local girl, a young star, but I’m excited to play new people. I just concentrate and try to do my job the best I can.”
Despite making her third appearance in the tournament, it is the first time Muguruza has won a match. The last time she played in Monterrey was in 2014 when she lost to Donna Vekic in the first round.
Seeking her first title of the season, Muguruza will take on Alison Riske in the second round. The American defeated Russia’s Evgeniya Rodina 6-0, 7-6(4), earlier in the week.
Fourth seed and former champion Timea Babos also booked her place in the last 16 by edging out Czech qualifier Marie Bouzková 6-3, 6-4. As well as her opponent, Babos also has to deal with mother nature as rain interrupted her match.
“It’s never easy, we didn’t expect it (the rain) and then all of a sudden we were in a awkward situation. I just tried to stay focused, to be here, to give everything that I have.” The Hungarian said after her win.
“To be fair my opponent, Marie, played really well. I didn’t know her before and she is a young player. I’m pretty sure we are going to see her more.”
Since winning the Taiwan Open in February, Babos has failed to win back-to-back matches in four consecutive tournaments. A trend she is aiming to end this week.
Monica Puig and Danielle Collins also progressed in the tournament. Olympic champion Puig defeated Nicole Gibbs 6-3, 6-3. Meanwhile, rising star Collins eased her way past Mariana Duque 6-1, 6-3.
