Tsvetana Pironkova has secured a statement win to reach the third round after beating Garbine Muguruza 7-5 6-3 in her first tournament for three years.
After a three year hiatus due to paternity leave, Tsvetana Pironkova wanted to return to tennis in order ‘to see if I still have it.’
Well it seems she still has it as she secured a statement win over three-time grand slam Garbine Muguruza 7-5 6-3 to reach the third round of the US Open.
Known for her ability to knock out some of the favourites of grand slam’s past, Pironkova continued to stick with her reputation as she came back to knock out the 10th seed.
It was a confident start from Muguruza, who reached the Australian Open final before lockdown, as she broke in the first game and looked in command with her service games.
The power and accuracy of the Spaniard troubled Pironkova at the start as she looked to find her rhythm in the match.
An important hold in the seventh game, saving three break points, seemed to be the beginning of the Bulgarian’s comeback as she looked to create opportunities.
Then from 5-3 down Pironkova managed to create opportunities as she broke back in the tenth game for 5-5 and would seal four games in a row for the opening set as Muguruza’s racket crashed and burned on Court 17.
Frustration only grew in the second set for Muguruza as she failed to create one break point opportunity in the set, while facing six of them on her serve.
Some clutch play managed to save five of them in the fourth game but she couldn’t hang on as the unique Bulgarian broke in the eighth game and served out the win for her first big win since being a mother.
A big-time win against a big-time player on a big-time stage proved that Pironkova still does indeed have it as she looks to cause more upsets this week.
Next on her list is 18th seed and last year’s quarter-finalist Donna Vekic, who cruised past Patricia Maria Tig 6-2 6-1. The Croatian broke on four occasions as she booked her place in the last 32 and sets up a meeting with Pironkova on Saturday.
Sakkari and Anisimova survive stern tests
In other results, Maria Sakkari and Amanda Anisimova survived stern tests to set up a Saturdays showdown at the US Open.
Sakkari, who edged past Voegele in the first round, lost the first set to American Bernarda Pera before sealing a 2-6 6-3 6-2 victory.
Meanwhile Anisimova was faced of a different scenario of being the older player in her match with 16 year-old compatriot Katrina Scott.
Despite an erratic start, Anisimova showed her qualities on return to secure a 4-6 6-4 6-1 win.
The meeting on Saturday between Sakkari and Anisimova will be their first match against each other.
