Muguruza To Meet Krejcikova For Dubai Title

It’s been two years since Garbine Muguruza last won a title, back at 2019 Monterrey. After three loss in finals since (including two already this year), the former No. 1 hopes to pick up her 8th career title Saturday in Dubai.

The Spaniard will be the heavy favorite against Czech doubles star Barbora Krejcikova.

Muguruza won her tour-best 17th match of 2021 with a tough victory over Elise Mertens 6-4, 7-6(5). She had to win it on her 7th match point.

“You have to be all the time concentrated, otherwise she will come back,” said a relieved Muguruza after finally putting away an overhead. “I didn’t lose the focus even though I couldn’t close it [at first] – I was just looking forward to the next opportunity.”

In her 15th career final, the former No. 1 collides with unheralded Krejcikova who was a 7-5, 6-2 over Jil Teichmann. Krejcikova has never won a WTA title before. It’s just her second final after 2017 Nurenburg.

“Such a good player, I think right now at this moment, she’s one of the top players,” Krejcikova said of Muguruza. “No matter what the result is going to be tomorrow, I’m just going to go out there and really enjoy, just try to play my best tennis, just try to see what she’s actually doing and try to learn a lot of things. Try to bring my best game and do the best that I can.”

Muguruza has now made the finals in three of her last four events.

“Holding the champion’s trophy is everybody’s objective,” she said. “We play hard in order to play the finals. Maybe they didn’t go my way, the recent finals I’ve played – but at some point it will. To be able to be there is a sign that you’re playing well, and that’s where I want to be.”

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