Garbine Muguruza Ends Victoria Azarenka’s Remarkable Winning-Streak at Italian Open 2020

Former World No.1 Garbine Muguruza defeated Vicotria Azarenka in a three-set rollercoaster 3-6,6-3,6-4 in the quarterfinals of the Italian Open 2020. It was a match which saw a lot of break points and turnarounds. With both the players almost nullifying their service games.

For Azarenka her tournament was near perfect up until this loss. Notably, the Belarusian thrashed reigning Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin 6-0,6-0 in the 2nd round. Further, she easily dispatched Venus Williams in the first round. Muguruza has faced tricky opponents in this year’s Italian Open. She had to go up against Sloane Stephens, Coco Gauff, and Johanna Konta to reach the quarters. Notably, for the Spaniard, her best win was a straight-set victory against Konta in the 3rd round.

Victoria Azarenka vs Garbine Muguruza: 1st set

Victoria Azarenka and Garbine Muguruza started off with great intent. Both the players started off well, with Muguruza getting close to breaking Azarenka but the US Open 2020 finalist held her serve at 2-1. In the opening set, it looked like Muguruza looked a little bit better but a lapse in concentration awarded a break to Azarenka at 3-1. Muguruza further got three consecutive break points but Azarenka saved them all. Muguruza didn’t let Azarenka steamroll her but Azarenka was clinical enough to take the set 6-3.

2nd Set

The second set started with a train of break points. Both the players broke each other’s service games multiple times and no one was able to hold in the first four games. Both the players had troubles holding their serve but the set had exciting long rallies. Muguruza was the first to hold serve in the set at 3-2. But Azarenka kept having horror service games and never held her serve in the set. The set continued to have tough rallies and epic winners but service hold was a luxury. Finally, after huge struggles, Muguruza was able to save the set and match 6-3.

3rd Set

Muguruza continued to push. Azarenka had troubles playing Muguruza’s shots which were close to the baseline. The Spaniard broke Azarenka in the first game itself. Break points and rallies kept coming in the set. Azarenka did break Muguruza for 1-1 but continued her abysmal service hold as she lost a 6 consecutive service game to give the advantage back to Muguruza. Finally, Azarenka won a service game but still trailed a break down at 2-3. As the match went on the thrill factor in the match multiplied. Muguruza was broken back at 3-3 but Azarenka’s inconsistency led to Muguruza breaking her to lead at 5-4 and served out the match 3-6, 6-3,6-4.

A gritty win for Muguruza. At certain junctures in the match, it looked like she had let Azarenka come back but the Spaniard was solid at the end. An important result towards the Italian Open title and the forthcoming French Open. She next plays Simona Halep in the semifinal.