Muguruza wins WTA Finals

The 2021 WTA Finals - Day 8 - Final

2021 Akron WTA Finals Guadalajara, on Hard, in Guadalajara, Mexico, 10-17 November 2021.

Event not held last year due to COVID-19.

2019 champion (not defending):

Ashleigh Barty (1) who defeated Elina Svitolina (8) 6-4 6-3

Final:

Garbiñe Muguruza (6) (Spain) v Anett Kontaveit (8) (Estonia)

Before this final, Muguruza led Kontaveit 3-2 in their previous five encounters. These included two contests this year. Kontaveit won a quarter final match in Moscow, but Muguruza won a round robin match in this tournament just three days ago.

Muguruza won her semi final in straight sets against Paula Badosa, while Kontaveit needed three sets, coming back from a break down in the decider against Maria Sakkari.

Either result in this final would see a debut WTA Finals champion.

Kontaveit served first and saved a break point before holding. The Estonian saved two break points in the third game but surrendered her serve on the third break chance and Muguruza broke to lead 2-1.

After leading 40-15, Muguruza lost four straight points and was broken straight back. 2-2.

Kontaveit delivered a love game to lead 3-2.

Converting a third break point in the seventh game, Muguruza regained the advantage 4-3.

This time, the Spaniard consolidated, sealing the game with an ace for 5-3.

From 30-15, Kontaveit lost the remaining points and Muguruza broke to take the set 6-3, the final shot a delightful lob winner.

In set two, Muguruza faced her first break points, two of them in game three. They were saved with big first serves. Game five was easier - she held to love and led 3-2.

In a game of four deuces, a Muguruza forehand winner gave her a break point, but Kontaveit saved it with a clutch second serve. The eighth seed levelled at 3-3, then proceeded to break the Muguruza serve for the first time and lead 4-3. It was thanks to four gift wrapped errors from the Spanish racquet.

Serving at 5-4 to level the match, Kontaveit had 15-0 following an ace, but a double fault and two backhand errors gave Muguruza two break back points. A forehand down the line winner achieved the break and 5-5.

Muguruza held serve and was a game away from the title.

Kontaveit was broken to love and Garbiñe Muguruza won the match 6-3 7-5.

The Billie Jean King Trophy is high reward for Garbiñe Muguruza to end the 2021 season. It is the biggest hardcourt title of her career, and enables her to finish the year at #3 in the rankings. Anett Kontaveit finishes at #7.