Garbine Muguruza has eased to her third consecutive French Open quarter-final with a 6-3, 6-4, win over Svetlana Kuznetsova.
The encounter promised to be a tough task for the fourth seed and the match lived up to those expectations. The opening set saw opportunities come and go for both players. Muguruza was in danger of going behind before she battled back to move ahead 3-2. The lead could have been extended to 4-2, however, the Spanish played failed to capitalise of all five of her break point chances during a marathon game. The tough resistance displayed by Kuznetsova was finally broken when a blistering return winner from Muguruza rewarded her with a break for 5-3 as she clinched the opening set. During her impressive first set performance, the world No.4 produced 22 winners and won 79% of her first service points.
The power displayed by Muguruza overwhelmed Kuznetsova at the start of the second set as she broke once again before extending her lead to 3-1. The Spaniard seemed destined for a relatively straightforward win until a rather tentative eighth service game. During an error-stricken game, a wide forehand allowed Kuznetsova to break back and draw the set 4-4. Despite the blip, Muguruza regained control immediately by breaking once again in the following game for a chance to serve for the match. Racing to 40-15, giving her a duo of match points, Muguruza failed to convert either of them as Kuznetsova continued fighting. There was better fortune on her fifth match point in the game, after a backhand from Kuznetsova drifted out to give the match to the fourth seed.
During her fourth round triumph, Muguruza was only able to win 3/12 break points against Kuznetsova. More positively, she produced 37 winners compared to 30 unforced errors.
“I am very happy, at the end of the match, it is always very tough. Svetlana is a player with a lot of experience.” Muguruza said after her win.
The win takes Muguruza to the fourth major quarter-final in her career. This week is Muguruza’s 14th appearance in a grand slam main draw. Looking ahead to the second week of Roland Garros, the 22-year-old is eyeing a place in the last four.
“I think every match is very tough starting from the first one. The quarter-finals is a great result and I am looking to improve my result here.” She said during her on court interview.
Becoming the first woman this year to reach the quarter-final in Roland Garros, Muguruza will play either 25th seed Irina Camelia Begu or Shelby Rogers.
