Garbine Muguruza edged Kiki Bertens in an epic 5-7 6-1 6-4 win to reach the Indian Wells Quarter-Finals.
The Spaniard, who benefited from Serena Williams’ withdrawal, continued her good run with a 2 and a half hour win over the world number seven.
It was one of her best performances in the last year as she reaches the quarter-finals at Indian Wells and continues a sizzling week.
In the last eight she will now face 18 year-old Canadian Bianca Andreescu after she defeated Qiang Wang 7-5 6-2 to continue an unbelievable season.
The two time grand slam champion should have sealed the match in straight sets after being a break up three times in the opening set.
However the 7th seed continued to fight back in the match with a lot of variety and angles, keeping Muguruza alert at all times.
Incredibly the confident Bertens managed to take the first 7-5 after winning the last four games as the world number 20 looked frustrated.
The Bertens comeback didn’t deter Muguruza though as she struck back in sensational fashion securing the second set with three breaks of serve.
In the third set both women shared breaks at the start as both defences were being tested thoroughly although both passed the test.
It was a battle of wills out there and after two and a half hours, on an epic match point, Bertens was the one to blink as Muguruza sealed the set 6-4 and with it the match.
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In her press conference, Muguruza revealed that good movement has been one of the areas of improvement lately, “Yes, I have been working a lot on the movement,” she revealed.
“I think that being a tall player and being aggressive is very good. But at the same time, you have to be able to be athletic and be able to hang in there and run and have a good movement, as well. So I can combine both game styles.”
It’s great to see Muguruza back in this form which so many people have been wishing to see on a more regular and consistent basis.
She will need to use this form in the quarter-finals as she play the confident Bianca Andreescu tomorrow. The 18 year-old Auckland finalist defeated Qiang Wang 6-2 7-5 in an impressive display.
It has been a breakthrough year for Andreescu and with her current form being produced, tomorrow’s clash is set to be a fierce and highly competitive affair.
