“Not A Surprise”: Garbine Muguruza on Victoria Azarenka’s Fearless Form at 2020 Italian Open

Italian Open’s No.9 seed Garbine Muguruza moved into the quarterfinals with a comprehensive win over Johanna Konta of Great Britain. After registering the 6-4 6-1 victory, Muguruza was in absolute delight after reaching her sixth quarterfinal of the year. 

Muguruza’s confidence overflowed in the second set, and she was never broken by her opponent in the game. The former World No.1 attend the post-game press conference where she spoke about her beaming confidence throughout the match.

“I served well, I was there in the right moments, and it went my side,” Muguruza said. “I really took my chances. Yeah, I’m just happy to be able to face another player and to get a victory.” 

With this win, Muguruza has now knocked down Sloane Stephens in the first round, Coco Gauff in the second, and now World No. 13 Johanna Konta, en route to the quarterfinals. 

“I think I’m facing very good players,” Muguruza mentioned. “It’s great, because honestly, that’s what I’m looking for, just to play matches and to face right away good matches, good opponents, and to see where I’m at.”

Garbine Muguruza is looking forward for a tough matchup against Victoria Azarenka

With a win over Konta, Muguruza booked a place for herself in the quarterfinals, and a mouth-watering clash with Victoria Azarenka. The latter had an outstanding run at the 2020 US Open and made it till the finals.

Now, in the 2020 Italian Open, Azarenka will face Muguruza in the last eight, after her previous round opponent withdrew from the game due to injury. This clash will indeed be a cracking one, and Garbine Muguruza knows the intensity her upcoming opponent can bring to the court. 

When asked her views on facing Azarenka in the QFs, Muguruza brought up how she is left unfazed by how good the Belarusian has played lately. “Someone that has played great can play great again and again and again. So for me, it’s not a surprise,” she said. 

The Spaniard knows that she would have to battle hard in the next round against Victoria Azarenka. “I’m looking forward for a good match, another tough opponent,” Muguruza mentioned. 

If she wins in the quarterfinal, Garbine Muguruza will match her career-best performance at the Italian Open. She’s never reached the final in Rome, but has been to the semi-finals in back-to-back years (2016 & 2017).