Spain’s Garbine Muguruza continued her impressive comeback from injury with an emphatic victory over Australian teen Naiktha Bains to qualify for the 2014 Hobart International today.
Muguruza, the world no. 63, is playing in just her second tournament since being sidelined by an ankle injury in July. The second seed in the qualifying draw and a quarter-finalist in Auckland last week, proved no match for the 16 year-old Australian, who is ranked 1068. Muguruza needed only 41 minutes to record a 6-1 6-0 victory on centre court.
“I’m really happy. I was injured for six months, so for me it is incredible to start this year so good,” Muguruza said.
Muguruza, who won the 2013 Hobart International doubles title with Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor, said it meant a lot to her to be back competing at this level.
“Being injured is the worst for a professional athlete. It was really hard,” she said.
Bains, who scored her first win at WTA level in round one of qualifying and her first win over a top 100 player in round two, took positives from the loss.
“I didn’t really get a chance to get into the match unfortunately,” Bains said. “It’s been a great experience playing three matches against three quality players, unfortunately I couldn’t qualify but I played okay and it is going to give me some good experience for later.”
Estrella Cabeza Candela of Spain also qualified, overcoming compatriot Silvia Soler-Espinosa 4-6 7-5 6-4 in a tussle that lasted almost two and a half hours.
Soler-Espinosa will still compete in the main draw. She was fortunate to receive the lucky loser spot created by Venus Williams’ withdrawal earlier today.
> Williams withdraws from the 2014 Hobart International
American Madison Brengle won through to the main draw, beating fellow American Sachia Vickery 6-4 6-3, and Alison Van Uytvanck prevailed in an all-Belgian affair with An-Sophie Mestach 6-4 6-2 to earn a spot.
> Who do the qualifiers play now? Take a look at the singles draw.