Muguruza defends Monterrey title

Final day in Monterrey.

Abierto GNP Seguros (Monterrey Open) - a WTA International category tournament, on Hard Decoturf,  at Club Sonoma in Monterrey, Mexico, 1-7 April 2019.

Defending champion:

Garbiñe Muguruza (1) who defeated Tímea Babos (4) 3-6 6-4 6-3

The much anticipated final between Garbiñe Muguruza (2) and Vika Azarenka (5) is all the greater because the defending champion from Spain has been without a title since winning here 12 months ago.  More exciting is Vika’s first return to the last day of a tournament since the birth of Leo.

The two former #1s have met before only once, in the round of sixteen in Miami 2016 where Vika won in two tie break sets.

Azarenka served first and immediately was in strife, losing the opening two points, the second with a double fault. A forehand winner down the line helped, but Muguruza sent a powerful forehand cross court winner to produce two break points. One was saved, but a netted backhand saw the serve dropped. Muguruza didn’t mess around, holding to love, a backhand winner the highlight, an ace sealing the game. 2-0. Azarenka had two game points which drifted away, one with a forehand return winner, the second with a forehand down the line winner. Azarenka rushed a backhand and it hit the net to bring up break point. An excellent backhand saved the day, and the Belarusian proceeded to hold serve.

Muguruza fell down 0-40, a double fault, a backhand unforced error, and a fine Azarenka forehand winner doing the damage. All break points were saved, the Spanish serve assisting, and a backhand down the line not too bad as well. 3-1.

The opening point of game five gave us one of the shots of the tournament - Azarenka played a great touch backhand volley and Muguruza did well to even make enough ground to reach the ball, let alone retain balance and dig out a backhand lob landing precisely in the opposite corner. Eventually Azarenka needed to save break points for the third successive service game. Twice she managed to achieve this, with good tennis. A game point came the way of Azarenka with a great serve, but it was lost with a loose shot. Muguruza won the key points, including a forehand winner to produce another break point, converted once an Azarenka forehand sailed way long. A double break for Muguruza.

Azarenka had chances to retrieve one of the service breaks in the next game, after Muguruza let a 40-15 situation slip. A wild forehand from Spain missed everything, a wonderful Azarenka forehand down the line brought it to deuce, and a Muguruza backhand missed wide. The break point was saved  thanks to a big Spanish forehand forcing an error. Another break chance came through a terrific backhand winner from Azarenka. Saved by a thunderous forehand winner from Muguruza. Break point #3 saved when Azarenka sent a backhand long. Muguruza hit an unplayable forehand to reach game point and did hold serve. Leading 5-1, after probably the highest quality game of the match didn’t reflect how close the contest actually played on the court. Muguruza was just winning the points that mattered most.

Muguruza hit a forehand winner, and of concern was Azarenka appearing to pull up short at the end of the point. There definitely was suffering on Azarenka’s part, and a double fault didn’t help. A forehand pulled wide meant three set points. An ace saved one. An Azarenka forehand hit long presented the set to Muguruza 6-1.

Azarenka called for the trainer, and things didn’t look promising for the rest of the match.

Muguruza opened set two holding serve to love, Azarenka clearly hampered in her movement around the court, now with her right leg strapped. Fighting on bravely, Azarenka managed to save a break point and hold her serve. 1-1. Muguruza started with an ace, was shocked with a stunning backhand return winner from a swinging Azarenka, and was down 15-30 after an unforced error. An ace steadied the ship, and service was held for 2-1.

More physio for Azarenka who would have another attempt at the line. The end seemed inevitable as errors flowed from the Azarenka racquet. Two match points arrived, and a forehand error confirmed the break. Azarenka couldn’t last any longer and sadly retired from the contest.

Garbiñe Muguruza successfully defended her title, winning 6-1 3-1 (retired). Not the best way to prevail, but Garbiñe did play well throughout the tournament, and deserved the victory. Hopefully Vika will recover from her injury soon.