It was a tale of two halves for Garbine Muguruza as she recovered from a shocking start to battle past Belgian qualifier Elise Mertens 2-6, 6-0, 6-3, in the first round of the US Open.
The third seed was far from her best at the start of the match as she produced 10 unforced errors and two double faults to allow the qualifier to open up a 3-0 lead. Muguruza managed to get herself on the scoreboard by retrieving the break before another series of costly errors spoiled her momentum. As the Spaniard continued to falter, 20-year-old Mertens grew in confidence by displaying a series of impressive winners. Playing in her first Grand slam main draw, the Belgian clinched the first set after a serve out wide was unsuccessfully returned by the third seed.
The explanation for Muguruza’s erratic performance soon came apparent when she received a medical time-out after dropping the first set. Muguruza appeared unwell, but the exact issue was unclear. Whatever the problem was, the break did wonders for the Spaniard ahead of the start of the second set.
In a stark contrast to the start of the match, the third seed was finally able to live up to her reputation by being significantly more aggressive in the rallies as she surged to a 4-0 lead. The comeback resultesd in an implosion of Mertens’ spirited play from the first set. The dramatic comeback was sealed after Muguruza clinched the second set on her fifth chance thanks to a forehand error from the qualifier.
Muguruza’s dramatic second set turnaround consisted of an error-winner ratio of 5-8. A complete opposite to her dismal 17-5 displayed in the opening set.
As the sweltering heat intensified in New York, the match was halted for ten minutes after officials enforced the extreme heat policy rule. The disruption had little impact on Muguruza as she continued her recovery by breaking twice in the match to progress to a game away from the win. She was able to seal the roller coaster match after Mertens shot sailed out of the court.
It was apparent that Muguruza was troubled by some kind of illness, however, she attributed her performance to nerves during her on-court interview.
“The first match in a grand slam is always very tough. You’re very nervous.” Muguruza said.
“She (Mertens) played especially very well. She won three matches in the qualifying (rounds). She had a lot of confidence and I had to really fight for this match.”
Muguruza is one of the favourites to win the US Open title, despite only grabbing her second ever win in the tournament. Nevertheless, the Spaniard is in good humour about her title prospects.
“I think a miracle,” she joked when asked what it will take for her to win the title. “ I’m just focusing on every match, hopefully every time I go into the match I will win it and go deep into the tournament.”
In the second round Muguruza will play Latvia’s Anastasija Sevastova.
