Spanish qualifier Garbine Muguruza is through to the Hobart International semi-finals after an upset win against Belgian second seed Kirsten Flipkens tonight.
Muguruza won 6-4 6-3 in the feature night match on the Domain Tennis Centre’s centre court.
Flipkens, who went into the match under an injury crowd having hurt her ankle in a three-set quarter-final victory yesterday, was outpowered in an impressive performance from the young Spanish player.
Muguruza started strongly, winning the opening seven points of the match. But the Belgian player showed she was not going down without a fight, serving an ace to win her first point.
Flipkens, who will celebrate her 28th birthday tomorrow, did not appear to be hampened by the injury, instead she had more difficulties with the firepower of the 21 year-old Muguruza.
The world no.58 raced to a 5-2 lead with aggressive play and brilliant shot-making entertaining the crowd.
Flipkens continued to fight, saving three set points at 5-3 and breaking the Muguruza serve. Serving to stay in the set, the world no. 19 saved a fourth set point but couldn’t survive a fifth, as Muguruza broke to take the set 6-4.
Muguruza broke early in the second set and was looking good at 3-1, but again Flipkens found a way back into the match. The 2013 Wimbledon semi-finalist was able to level the match at 3-all.
Muguruza again broke in the eighth game, then served the match out to move into her second career WTA semi-final.
The result continues a stunning comeback from Muguruza, who is playing in just her second tournament since July. Since returning from an ankle injury, Muguruza reached the quarter-finals in Auckland last week then came through qualifying here in Hobart to reach the semi-finals.
Having built a record of eight wins and one loss in this time, Muguruza said her confidence both in her game and her body was soaring.
“Everytime I’m playing, I’m feeling better, so that’s what I’m going to keep doing,” she said. “I want to keep playing and keep winning matches, this is my goal.”
Muguruza now plays fellow Spanish qualifier Estrella Cabeza Candela in the semi-final on Friday afternoon. Cabeza Candela, the world no.114, has won two of their three previous matches, but Muguruza won their most recent meeting last year.
“It is good to play because you know her, but then she is your friend, so it’s going to be interesting,” Muguruza said.