Muguruza marches into last four of WTA Finals

Garbine Muguruza reached the last four of the WTA Finals, unbeaten, after a tough win over Petra Kvitova - who also qualified for the semis with help from her fellow Czech Lucie Safarova.

Published : Oct 30, 2015 19:35 IST , Singapore

Garbine Muguruza has also entered the semi-finals in the doubles event.
Garbine Muguruza has also entered the semi-finals in the doubles event.
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Garbine Muguruza has also entered the semi-finals in the doubles event.

Garbine Muguruza reached the last four of the WTA Finals, unbeaten, after a tough win over Petra Kvitova - who also qualified for the semis with help from her fellow Czech Lucie Safarova.

On a rollercoaster last day of group play, Muguruza and Kvitova shared 15 service breaks in a see-sawing three-setter before the increasingly impressive Spaniard won 6-4, 4-6, 7-5.

Kvitova's hopes were hanging by a thread but she went through when her friend and Fed Cup teammate Safarova beat Angelique Kerber 6-4, 6-3, stopping the German finishing second in White Group.

Already-eliminated Safarova said she met a delighted Kvitova in the locker room and "she said she might buy me some beers".

Muguruza will play Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska in Saturday's semi-finals while Kvitova will meet Maria Sharapova, who like Muguruza has swept through all three of her group matches.

The semi-finals line-up raises the possibility of a title clash between fast-rising star Muguruza and Russia's Sharapova, the established force with five Grand Slam titles to her name.

"You know to be here for me is a great pay-off after the whole year, and hopefully I can continue winning and playing like this," said Muguruza, who is also into the doubles semi-finals.

Safarova, who was already eliminated and playing for little more than personal and national pride, was delighted to keep Kvitova's hopes alive with her win over Kerber.

"Teamwork! Well, I'm happy for her that she went through to the semis, I'm happy for my win as well," she said.

The two will lead defending champions Czech Republic at the Fed Cup final in Prague next month against a Russian team spearheaded by Sharapova. "After Fed Cup we can celebrate," Safarova said.

Doubles duty

Muguruza is bracing herself for a very demanding Saturday as she will also play the doubles semis with compatriot Carla Suarez Navarro against Czechs Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka.

"It's going to be a challenge for me to see how much my body can handle, because now I don't have a day off," said Muguruza, 22. "So, I mean, it's great to be in my position I think now, to be playing singles and doubles semi-finals, but it's going to be hard. I have to recover well and do everything possible to be ready for both matches."

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