By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday January 30, 2020
A determined Garbiñe Muguruza dug in and battled past Simona Halep in a hard-hitting Aussie Open semifinal.
Photo Source: Mark Peterson/ Corleve
Garbiñe Muguruza has been a picture of determination ever since she took the court for her first-round match at this year’s Australian Open. She has battled through a viral illness that significantly hampered her through two rounds, as well as a murderer’s row of elite talent that have tried to take her down as she has worked her way through a difficult draw.
On Thursday Muguruza completed her latest vintage effort—an inspired 7-6(8) 7-5 victory over 2018 Australian Open finalist Simona Halep.
The victory marked Muguruza’s third Top 10 triumph of the tournament—it is the first time she has managed three Top 10 wins at the same major in her career, and it sets up a final with 21-year-old American Sofia Kenin on Saturday in Melbourne.
Though she emerged victorious in straight sets, Muguruza was pushed the whole way by Halep and had to save two set points in a harrowing opening-set tiebreaker (four overall in the set) that saw her finally convert her third set point.
"The first set was very long, so I knew it was going to be key to the match because of the circumstances and the weather and everything," Muguruza told reporters after the match. "Just hang in there and whoever was going to be stronger was going to get it. I was happy that I stay solid there, took my chances at the end."
The second set was a roller coaster ride as well, and Muguruza was tested again by Halep who stepped ahead 3-2 and held the lead until she served for the set at 5-4.
It was that type of contest. A pair of two-time Grand Slam champions and future hall of famers, battling brutal heat that remained at or over 100 degrees Fahrenheit for most of the match and battling one another over the course of two tempestuous hours. The hitting was monumental, and the intensity of the rallies never wavered as points and games were often extended due to determined defense by both players.
Muguruza has shown the capacity for buckling down in big moments all tournament long and she needed to demonstrate that stubbornness on multiple occasions against Halep.
The 26-year-old, who is unseeded at a major for the first time since 2014 Roland Garros in Melbourne, squandered a 5-3 lead in the opening set and watched the No.4 seed rifle through 10 consecutive points until she finally found her range again while facing two set points at 5-6, 15-40.
Muguruza would win four straight points to force a tiebreaker, before she saved another two set points, in dramatic fashion, to take the first set.
The 20-stroke rally at 7-8 in the opening-set tiebreak, in which Muguruza saved Halep’s fourth set point, was typical of the strong-willed tennis that the Spaniard played in this match. She may be known for her offensive tennis but her ability to prolong points with her legs was one of the main reasons she was able to edge the great Romanian on this day.
"It's tough to say really what's the little difference," Muguruza said when asked how she was able to prevail against Halep. "I guess maybe structuring better the points, using more my weapons. It's literally, like, half second or one shot the difference. It's very delicate. It's also a lot about confidence, the way you're playing. Yeah, just a mix of that."
The second set was hotly contested as well and Halep ran with a break lead all the way until she had to serve for the set at 5-4. But there was Muguruza’s stubbornness again, front and center and earning her four break points, the fourth of which she conveted to get herself back on level terms at 5-5.
Muguruza would produce a poised hold for 6-5 and break Halep to close the match, converting her second match point to book her spot in a fourth career major final, and first since 2017 Wimbledon.
In the end the stat sheet reflected the courage with which Muguruza played with—and was rewarded for. She struck 39 winners against 44 unforced errors while Halep, who admitted she regretted being a tad too passive at times, hit 20 winners against 23 unforced.
"I think maybe I could be a little bit more brave in the points that were important," Halep said. "I didn't do that. Maybe I went a little bit defensive in those balls and I couldn't take the domination of the point."
In Halep’s defense she seemed to have the first set under control, as Muguruza was bleeding errors in the later stages. Who knew she would have to do anything more than let Muguruza beat herself there? Remarkably the Spaniard was able to flip the script and suddenly lock down her ground game to perfection. It may have caught Halep off guard.
"It's tough to play against her because, yeah, she doesn't give much rhythm," Halep said. "She can miss few balls in a row, then she can make unbelievable shots."
Muguruza’s ability to stroke some timely aces also helped her. She tossed in ten on the day, many of them at crucial junctures. Also of note was Muguruza’s net play. She made a habit of coming in and picking off swing volleys and also made some special volleys. In total she won 20 of 30 at the net, while Halep won just 2 of 5.
In the end it was a vintage performance from a player that had seemingly lost her ability to produce such tennis over the last 18 months. But a new year and a new coach, not to mention a winter spent hiking to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, have revived the spirit of this great champion.