Muguruza’s Singapore chances hang in the balance
Spain’s best player prepares for one of the most critical tournaments of her 2016 season as she attempts to qualify for the coveted Year-End Championships in Singapore–a place where the top eight players play every season.
Garbine Muguruza has had quite a bizarre season. She achieved her first Grand Slam singles title by beating World No.1 Serena Williams in the French Open final, but there are many features to Muguruza’s game that have not been firing for the majority of the season.
Muguruza’s 2016 season has not come easy
The 22-year-old struggled enormously with her consistency, and that has shown in her results. That is one thing that has to be addressed if she is to remain a regular in the WTA Top 5 over the course of the next twelve months. She has the ability to play unstoppable, breathless tennis but also delivers performances that leave you wanting a bit more from the Spaniard.
Muguruza took a late wildcard entry into the International tournament in Linz this week and recognises it’s now or never if she truly wants to be one of the players catching the plane to Singapore. It would be a disaster if a Grand Slam champion fails to succeed in Singapore qualification, and Madison Keys, Dominika Cibulkova, and Johanna Konta are stepping their games up when it really matters most.
Muguruza currently sits in the No.6 spot, with five players (Angelique Kerber, Serena Williams, Agniezska Radwanska, Simona Halep, and Karolina Pliskova) having already qualified. This is Muguruza’s final tournament before Singapore, if she qualifies. Linz is also Keys’ final scheduled tournament for the year, while Cibulkova and Konta each will play one more. Muguruza can lock up a spot if she does well here, but another early exit and Muguruza will require a lot of help to qualify for Singapore.
Sometimes in Muguruza’s matches it has become apparent that she does not always apply herself to the task at hand. Her first round opponent will challenge her if she does not show full commitment to the most important tournament of her season.
Muguruza meets Cagla Buyukakcay in electric first round match.
Turkish star Cagla Buyukakcay is her first-round opponent. Buyukakcay is a talented, hardworking player that gives her all in every tennis match. She leaves everything out on the court and will keep Muguruza honest when they meet later this week in Linz. Buyukakcay has fantastic footwork around the ball and pays admirable attention to every ball that lands on her side of the court.
It is not beyond the realm of possibility that Muguruza can pick up her fourth WTA title this week, but she will have to be ready for the challenge and rise to the level that took her to a first Wimbledon final and cracked open the gate for a new player to excel in the Women’s game.
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