TENNIS
Kuznetsova run curtailed by revitalized Muguruza
Garbiñe Muguruza ended Svetlana Kuznetsova's winning streak at the WTA Finals on Friday with a consolation 3-6 6-0 6-1 victory.
Run comes to an end
Garbiñe Muguruza ended Svetlana Kuznetsova's winning streak at the WTA Finals on Friday with a consolation 3-6 6-0 6-1 victory.
Kuznetsova finally ran out of steam after having already booked her place in the semi-finals, winning just one of the last 12 games as the Spaniard, who had already been eliminated from contention after losing her first two matches, finished the tournament with a victory which will boost morale more than anything else.
Flagging
After taking the opening set in style, Kuznetsova suddenly faded, losing 10 games in a row, including a 13-minute game in the third set that saw seven break points. Despite playing for pride’s sake alone, Muguruza produced her best performance of the tournament, smashing three aces and making short work the contest which lasted one hour and 34 minutes.
“It was very difficult for me this tournament because I started losing two matches but today I wanted really to go for the victory to feel good for myself and, I did it”, said an elated Muguruza afterwards.
Whirlwind schedule
Kuznetsova has battled jetlag and exhaustion since flying straight into Singapore after lifting the Kremlin Cup last weekend to leapfrog Britain's Johanna Konta for the final spot in the tournament. With Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova both absent from the prestigious end-of-season championship, Kuznetsova has emerged as the unlikely headline act of the $7 million event, restricted to the world's top eight players.
Cilbulkova awaits
Kuznetsova will play Dominika Cibulkova in Saturday's semi-final while the defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska and US Open finalist Karolina Pliskova will face off on Friday night to decide who meets world number one Angelique Kerber.