Garbine Muguruza Ends Her 2-Year-Long Title Drought at WTA Dubai 2021

Garbine Muguruza won her eighth career title as she won the WTA Dubai Tennis Championships 2021. She defeated unseeded Barbora Krejcikova in the final of the first WTA 1000 series tournament in 2021.

Muguruza won the final in straight sets to win her first title since 2019. En route to the victory, Muguruza defeated the likes of Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka rather convincingly.

Tough first set win for Muguruza

As the match started, it was clear that Krejcikova can defend well and can turn defense to attack immediately. She broke Muguruza in the first game itself. But an inconsistent service game from Krejcikova gave Muguruza the break back. The opening set was back level at 1-1.

Muguruza now had her backhand firing. Krejcikova initially was feeding the backhand, thus the Spaniard used that to gain an upper hand in the match. At 2-3, Krejcikova was broken again as Muguruza primarily gave fierce returns. But a strong defense from Krejcikova thwarted Muguruza, and the set was back level at 4-4.

Krejcikova and Muguruza tussled. But Muguruza looked clear of winning the first set when she had three set points at 6-5 of Krejcikova’s serve. But the Spaniard uncharacteristically tried to pull the plug fast, and thus Krejcikova came back in the set to level it at 6-6. In the tiebreaker, it was evenly poised as Muguruza first saved a set point and later converted one to win the opening set.

A comfortable win for Garbine Muguruza

The second set was delayed as Krejcikova disappeared off the court, presumably for a bathroom break. But from 40-0 up, Krejcikova lost her opening service game. Krejcikova had tailed off a bit as Muguruza took a 3-1 lead in the second set.

But Krejcikova had multiple break points at 3-2. It was a seven-minute hold for Muguruza. Both the players were giving constant pressure to each other’s serve. Ultimately, Krejcikova gave in as Muguruza continued her relentless intensity. Krejcikova was broken for the second time in the second set and Muguruza won the WTA Dubai, 7-6, 6-3.

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