On 14th November, Sunday at the 2021 WTA Finals, 28-year-old Spaniard Garbiñe Muguruza won in straight sets 6-4, 6-4 against Anett Kontaveit. Thus, Muguruza has booked a spot in the semi-finals against compatriot Paula Badosa.
With this, Karolína Plíšková couldn’t advance into the final four, despite the comeback win against Barbora Krejčíková.
The WTA Finals is a tournament of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) played annually at the end of the season. Only the players who are at the top of the WTA Rankings can compete in the tournament. Meanwhile, the 2021 WTA Finals is held in Zapopan, Mexico from 10th to 17th of November.
Match Report WTA Finals – Garbiñe Muguruza vs Anett Kontaveit
No.6 seed, Garbiñe Muguruza, two-time Grand Slam champion defeated the No.8 seed Anett Kontaveit to advance to the semi-finals. Muguruza won in straight sets 6-4, 6-4 with that ended the Estonian Anett Kontaveit’s 12 match winning streak.
Lighting up the night ✨
🇪🇸 @GarbiMuguruza ends Kontaveit's winning streak with a commanding straight sets win!#AKRONWTAFinals pic.twitter.com/gSvt6TtisT
— wta (@WTA) November 15, 2021
This group stage encounter was played at Estadio Akron de Tenis. It lasted for about 1-hour and 27-minutes. With this, Muguruza has advanced into the knockout stage for the 1st time since her tournament debut in 2015.
Where, in SF, she will face fellow countrywoman Paula Badosa.
Format of 2021 WTA Finals
Meanwhile, the defending singles champion is Ashleigh Barty from the 2019 edition. As it was not held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Round-Robin format: The tournament is played in a round-robin format with the top 2 players from each group advancing to the semi-finals.
However, Anett Kontaveit is guaranteed a semi-final berth after winning her first two matches. From the Teotihuacán Group, Kontaveit is at the top; Muguruza is at 2nd with a 2–1 (win-loss) record. Hence, both have qualified for the semis from their group.
Whereas, Karolína Plíšková failed to reach the semi-finals as she finished third in the group. While the 2nd seed Barbora Krejčíková ended at the bottom after losing all three matches, thus out of the tournament.
Watch the Highlights of – Garbiñe Muguruza vs Anett Kontaveit