(Tennis news) Garbine Muguruza brought out the best in her in the semifinals against Paula Badosa at Akron WTA Finals Guadalajara. Everything went right for Muguruza as she faced fellow countrywoman for the first time in her career and did not hesitate to give Badosa her second straight defeat at the event. Muguruza was the most experienced player in the draw after Karolina Pliskova and now has a chance to win her first WTA Finals.
Muguruza showed her experience on the tour as she did not give away any breakpoints in the whole match. Her strokes were pushing away Badosa’s chance of winning the match as there were winners all over the place and Badosa could not cover the lead. In the second set, Muguruza took the first three games to continue her domination in the match as Badosa could not recover from that point to end her season with a loss. Muguruza defeated Badosa 6-3, 6-3.
"I think it's the best match that I have played so far here in Guadalajara," said Muguruza, after her win. "It was a tough match facing another Spaniard in the semifinals. We've never faced each other before, so it was tricky.
Anett Kontaveit won the second semifinal against Maria Sakkari as she advanced to the final in her debut appearance at WTA finals. Kontaveit took the first set as her angles were absolutely brilliant, especially her cross court forehands which came every now and then. In the second set, Sakkari broke Kontaveit in the seventh game to take the lead and win the set. In the final set, Kontaveit broke Sakkari in the seventh game similar to the previous set scenario as she will play against Muguruza for the title. Kontaveit defeated Sakkari 6-1, 3-6, 6-3.
"I still can't quite believe that I'm even here and I'm playing against the best players at such a prestigious tournament," Kontaveit said. "I'm just so proud of myself that I managed to do this and so happy to be competing at this level and just trying to take it all in."
In doubles, Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova are into the finals for the second time after they beat Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Demi Schuurs in the semifinals. Barbora and Katerina will also look to chase the world number 1 ranking as they walk into the final. Barbora and Nicole defeated Nicole and Schuurs 3-6, 6-3, 10-5.
Wimbledon champions Hsieh Su-Wei and Elise Mertens made their way onto the final as they beat the Japanese pair of Ena Shibahara and Shuko Aoyama. They only lost four games in the match and have already played against Barbora and Sinikova in the group stage in which they lost. Hsieh and Elise defeated Shibahara and Aoyama 6-2, 6-2.
Also read: Maria Sakkari secures semifinal berth at Akron WTA Finals Guadalajara
