Garbine Muguruza won the battle of the former champions as she defeated Svetlana Kuznetsova 7-6(0) 6-2 to make the second round at Roland Garros.
The 3rd seed started with authority as she used her power to pin the Russian to the back of the court as a break of serve was the ideal start for the 2016 champion. As for Kuznetsova she had struggled to find some rhtym as she looked to be aggressive on the Muguruza second serve. Eventually Muguruza’s bad tactical decisions at the net as well as some loose backhands cost her as the 2009 champion found a way back to break for 3-3.
However the Spaniard remained aggressive upon return as she immediately broke back regaining some of her confidence that she had lost earlier in the clay court season. Despite Garbine’s return confidence she always looked shaky on her serve in the opening set and became even more nervy when serving for the set. The Russian broke just before the rain came down for 5-5 as the momentum once again shifted.
After an hour rain delay, the world number three got right back to work as she dominated the first set tiebreak with power, pace and finesse as she wrapped up the opening set in 74 minutes. The second set saw the Spaniard tighten her grip onto the set as she improved her volleys dramatically. The Russian started to tire and didn’t have that clinical edge to stay with Muguruza. The Spaniard broke for a second time in the final game to seal a massive victory that could have positive implications on her title charge in Paris.
The 2016 champion will now play French wildcard Fiona Ferro, who sprung a major surprise by stunning Carina Witthoeft 6-4 6-2. The win was Ferro’s maiden victory at Roland Garros and will take that momentum into their second round match on Thursday.
