Garbiñe Muguruza is getting closer and closer to getting rid of the sanbenito that he can’t beat the US Open. The Spanish equaled her best result in the tournament on Thursday by winning 6-4, 3-6 and 6-2 in 2:14 with a sensational performance to Victoria Azarenka, double champion of the Australian Open. It is the second time she has reached the round of 16 of the American Grand Slam and on Sunday she will face the Czech Krejcikova, this year’s winner of Roland Garros, who beat the Russian Rakhimova. The key to the victory of the Spanish was in the second set, because although she yielded it, she laid the foundations to later overcome an increasingly angry opponent. Their acceptance and resilience were rewarded. “I was very prepared for a tough game, and I was very focused at all times, because I knew it would be very difficult. I am very happy because it is my first victory in the Arthur Ashe “, recalled Muguruza, who had not triumphed so far on the largest center court in the world.
Garbiñe deserved more at the beginning of the meeting in which he had two break points. They escaped and Azarenka punished her with the first break of the match and a dangerous 2-0. The woman from Caracas calmly accepted adversity and reacted quickly, without a bad gesture. He took command of court operations, with superb parallel winners and plenty of first serves (77%). At the right moment he broke his rival’s serve and the first set was his.
To eighths !! @GarbiMuguruza 🇪🇸 qualifies for the round of 16 after beating Azarenka in three sets #USOpen
Match his best result in New York 👏
– Eurosport.es (@Eurosport_ES) September 3, 2021
In those moments of inspiration Muguruza won 14 points to a single from Azarenka until 0-30 in the first game of the second heat. From there, the duel went wrong. They lowered their serve percentages and conceded a 4-0, on the way to the rosco. Far from letting go, Garbiñe did something good and important. She fought in each game, added two breaks and put her opponent in a very bad mood, complaining and annoying despite her wide advantage. The set was lost by the world number 10, but with a favorable partial of 3-2.
Great colophon
There was one last battle left and both players gave the best of their ability, hitting viciously (Garbiñe made 34 winners) and cheering up. Nerves on the surface, managed by seniority. Muguruza hit first to get 4-2 and serve from a 30-0 against, without fuss, while Azarenka was very angry and paid with his racket. Then he consolidated the advantage with a blank game. She had a little step left and she took it big, to the rest, like a champion.
Results, table and schedules.