Muguruza’s brutal defeat favors match points

Garbine Muguruza and Petra Kvitova, tears in the eyes. Emotions abound after 2h.38′ of a rare match between the veteran two-time Grand Slam champion. The Spaniard, 28 years old and world number 10, was fighting back tears as he waved goodbye to the fans of Louis Armstrong Stadium. Although the pain inside was obvious. Logical, like the emotion of joy of the Czech left-hander, 32 years old and number 21.

The effort, the mental click given for several days, has no reward for the woman from Caracas. In one of his most difficult seasons, the prospect of a third straight victory did not come. A series that was not enough because it reigned in Guadalajara WTA Finalsthe Masters, in November.

The great Muguruza is back, capable of developing a great level of tennis. The auction is missing, which is no small thing in a sport where the finish implies added stress, especially if confidence is not overflowing due to the bad dynamics of past seasons. The resolution is harsh on the merits contracted by the student of Conchita Martínez, which gave rise to 5-7, 6-3 and 7-6 (12-10) in 2h.38′.

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The Spaniard served for a place in the round of 16 of US Open, known in 2017 and 2021 as a better result in New York, with 5-3 in the third set. It’s 30-15, two points off the standings. A ball touched the tape of the net, and it did not favor it. He experienced the ‘break’.

The reward is closer a few minutes later, having two ‘match’ balls, the rest, with 6-5. The first was snatched from her by Kvitova with her thirteenth ace. The second ended with a Spanish right to the network. The game lasted ten minutes, until the fighting Czech forced the ‘supertiebreak’: a card with ten points with a difference of two.

If Muguruza came back from 2-4 in the opening set, she also showed attitude and commitment in the delicate defining moment. Raised three match points from 7-9. The fourth confirmed his departure with a ball in the net.

Garbiñe Muguruza has reasons not to cross paths with Petra Kvitova, who beat him for the sixth time in a row, which he has not been able to do since 2015.

It is a matter of details. Muguruza may not have gained so much confidence in the stages where there is no need to think, that everything works and has good results. Kvitova, a recent WTA 1000 finalist in Cincinnati, is a noted fighter. The match brought him a prize combining ‘aces’ (14) with double faults (12), great success (43 winners) with many errors (50).

Muguruza showed more poise, as befits the fourth-round spot that fate and her illustrious rival robbed her of.