‘Motivated’ Garbine Muguruza shows fighting spirit as she beats defending Doha champion Aryna Sabalenka

Garbine Muguruza claimed the scalp of defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in the second round of the Qatar Open, winning in three sets to set up a quarter-final clash against Maria Sakkari.
World No 16 Muguruza took early charge as she won the opening set, but Sabalenka fought back to draw level before the Spaniard took the decider, winning 6-2, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3 in two hours and 18 minutes.
Strong performance from the 🇪🇸 @GarbiMuguruza takes out the defending champion Sabalenka, 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-3.#QatarTotalOpen2021 pic.twitter.com/FTnGQlh2KB
— wta (@WTA) March 3, 2021
The two-time Grand Slam winner broke twice in the first set while she shared six breaks of serve with the world No 8 in the second set with Sabalenka then edging the tie-breaker. However, two breaks for Muguruza in the third set up the win.
“I’m very motivated to play top players,” she said. “Like everybody, I worked hard. I’m fighting for trophies, to play well in big tournaments, in good tournaments.
“Today I was facing a top player, and I knew I have to go out there with a big fighting spirit, and [be] strong to be able to win against these tough opponents.”
Up next is Sakkari after the Greek beat Madison Keys from the United States 6-2, 6-2.
Top seed Elina Svitolina also had a relatively easy day at the office as the Ukrainian beat lucky loser Misaki Doi from Japan 6-1, 6-2 to set up a clash against former world No 1 Victoria Azarenka, who beat Laura Siegemund earlier in the day.
Second seed Karolina Pliskova had to work for her win as the Czech had to go the distance against Ons Jabeur, winning 6-4, 4-6, 7-5.
The No.2 seed survives!@KaPliskova outlasts Jabeur, 6-4, 4-6, 7-5.#QatarTotalOpen2021 pic.twitter.com/qWm5liWvlK
— wta (@WTA) March 3, 2021
“The conditions are good for me – she plays a lot of tough shots,” Pliskova said.
“I think she can play a little bit of everything, she can play slices, drop shots, she serves well – she’s improving with every year.”
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
Wimbledon
Sonay Kartal ready to impress at Wimbledon: ‘I’ve always believed my tennis was Grand Slam level’
Sonay Kartal is one of four British Wimbledon debutants in the singles draws.
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon order of play, TV info: What time are Novak Djokovic, Emma Raducanu, Andy Murray playing?
The Wimbledon day one TV, streaming, order of play guide.
-
Wimbledon
Serena Williams after ‘rough injury experience’: ‘I didn’t retire. I needed to heal physically, mentally’
After a “rough” injury, everything “just worked out” for Serena Williams to play at Wimbledon.
-
Wimbledon
Emma Raducanu ‘to play a like a kid who just loves playing tennis’ as she readies to realise Centre Court ‘dream’
US Open champion has been battling side strain.
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon to potentially be Novak Djokovic’s last Grand Slam this year
His vaccination status strikes again!
-
ATP Tour
Liam Broady on his transformation as a player and ditching nights out
He’s gone from third tier tournaments to Wimbledon wildcard.
-
Wimbledon
Coco Gauff believes Serena Williams is still dangerous despite year break
She could be a serious contender at SW19.
-
ATP Tour
Andy Murray rules out any possibility of playing in Saudi Arabia
He won’t be making the trip to the country anytime soon.
-
Wimbledon
Rafael Nadal gives positive fitness update ahead of Wimbledon: ‘I can walk normally most of the days’
The Spaniard has been battling a chronic foot problem.
-
Tennis News
Exclusive: ‘Novak Djokovic has been treated badly,’ says John Lloyd, but ‘love will come out’ after he retires
John Lloyd feels people will start to “go crazy” for Novak Djokovic once he retires.