AO - Day 10 - Muguruza v Pavlyuchenkova

The last of the women’s singles quarter finals was unexpected. Unseeded Garbiñe Muguruza met 30th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. Dual major winner Muguruza had knocked out 5th seed Svitolina and 9th seed Bertens en route to here, while Pavlyuchenkova showed 2nd seed Pliskova the door.

Muguruza led at various stages of set one, but it took hard work. Pavlyuchenkova broke first, in game three, not willing to concede a point to her opponent. Muguruza fought back immediately, breaking for the loss of just one point.

The fight continued, with the Spaniard toughing out the fifth game. Two break points were hurdles successfully cleared, and a 3-2 lead achieved.

Pavlyuchenkova was causing a headache for Muguruza and it wasn’t improving once she was broken in the seventh game to trail 3-4. However, no panic had set in, and in the longest game so far,  Muguruza worked her way around the winning ways of the Russian and broke back, using the third of three break points. At 4-4, Muguruza had patiently planned a course of action which could counter the Pavlyuchenkova offensive and in addition turn the match trajectory toward Spain.

Although taken to deuce, the serving of Muguruza looked consistent and reliable and at 5-4, pressure now was with Pavlyuchenkova. The 30th seed levelled at 5-5, but a swift love game from Muguruza forced Pavlyuchenkova back to the line again.

With her first set point, Muguruza shut the door on Pavlyuchenkova 7-5.

Muguruza led 3-2 in set two, after the pair exchanged breaks of serve at the start. 

The key stage was game six where Pavlyuchenkova was broken to love, giving Muguruza a 4-2 lead.

Serving at 5-3 for the match, Muguruza was quickly to 40-0, and she won with the second of two match points 7-5 6-3.