Garbine Muguruza has issued a warning to the women’s draw at the French Open with a clinical 6-0, 6-2, win over Sam Stosur in the third round.
Muguruza, who won her maiden grand slam title at Roland Garros in 2016, dominated her Australian rival from the onset. Hitting a series of shots deep towards the baseline to force numerous errors from Stosur. The problem for the 34-year-old Australian, who reached the final of the tournament back in 2010, was that her renowned kick-serve went right into Muguruza’s hitting zone. Allowing her to dominate the rallies from the start. In total Muguruza hit 15 winners to nine unforced errors and converted six out of her nine break point opportunities during the 62-minute match.
“I’m pleased, I had a very tough opponent today.” Muguruza said during her on court interview. “She (Stosur) is a former finalist (at the French Open), she is a grand slam champion. I knew that if I didn’t play my best tennis that it was going to be hard.”
In the past, the Spaniard has experienced difficulty against Stosur on the tour. Last year she required more than two-and-a-half hours to win their encounter the Brisbane International. This time round it was one-way traffic for Muguruza, who became the first player to bagel Stosur on the tour since Heather Watson at the 2017 Australian Open. Claiming the opening set with a clean backhand shot in what was only her fifth winner of the match.
Muguruza’s offensive continued into the second set against her frustrated rival. A forehand error from Stosur gifted her a fourth consecutive break to gain the early advantage. For Stosur, it wasn’t until the 9th game of the match that she managed to get herself onto the scoreboard. Prompting a cheer from the crowd on Court Philippe Chatrier.
It was that sole game that revived the entire match as Muguruza finally faced a stern test. As the mistakes increase, Stosur seized her chance by breaking back to love for 2-2 in what an unlikely turn in events. Still, it was not enough to deny the third seed as she re-established her stronghold in the match immediately with another break in her favour. From then on, it was only a matter of time before Muguruza recorded her 22nd main draw win at Roland Garros. Closing the match out with an ace down the centre of what is a very special court for her.
“This court (Philippe Chatrier), I have been watching since I was six, seven years old. Me winning (the 2016 title) here, every time I come here I have a special feeling inside of me. It’s incredible.” Muguruza explained.
As a result of her latest loss, Stosur is now set to exit the top 100. It will be the first time she has done so since June 2008.
Muguruza will be hoping for a dose of deja vu. Two years ago, she also defeated Stosur in the tournament on route to her maiden grand slam title. She now has a 11-1 record when it comes to playing third round matches in grand slams.
The 24-year-old will play Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko in the next round. Tsurenko, who is enjoying the best run of her career at Roland Garros, defeated 19th seed Magdaléna Rybáriková 6-2, 6-4. Their head-to-head is currently tied at 1-1.
