Muguruza Defeats Kontaveit To Win WTA Finals Title, Her Biggest In Over 4 Years

Garbine Muguruza collected her biggest title in over four years capturing the year-end WTA Finals trophy last night in Guadalajara. In her first final at the event, Muguruza upended Anett Kontaveit 6-3, 7-5.

“Right now I feel extremely happy and relieved because it’s a tournament that I’ve struggled at the beginning, then I managed to play well,” Muguruza said. “I think I’m staying composed a little bit now because it means really a lot to me to win such a big, big, big tournament, the [WTA Finals] in Latin America, here in Mexico. I think it’s just perfect.

“I’m just very happy I proved to myself once again I can be the best, I can be the ‘maestra,’ like how we say in Spanish,” she added. “That puts me in a very good position for next year, a good ranking.”

Muguruza clawed out a break for 4-3 in the first set then had to overcome a deficit in the second. Kontaveit served for the second at 5-3 but didn’t win another game.

The title is Muguruza’s 10th of her career, and ranks behind only her two Grand Slam titles. She’s the first Spaniard to win the title.

“The last couple of years, I didn’t play the same way I played before,” said Muguruza. “But I didn’t play a bad tennis, either. I was just here, there, not going into the deep rounds at Grand Slams that made the difference. I always felt I had the tennis. I was just not putting the battle together.

“I always believe I made finals of a Grand Slam, reached the rankings, I’m like, I have the tennis, I just have to show it. It’s hard, of course.”

Kontaveit had been the top player the second half of the season, going into the final having won 29 of her last 32 matches. But one of those losses came earlier in the week in the round robin and Muguruza got the better of the Estonian again in straight sets fashion.

“A tough match today, but definitely a really positive season,” Kontaveit said. “I was just so happy to qualify here and to make it to the finals. It feels incredible. Very proud of what I’ve achieved in the second half of the season.

“I think I’m excited for the next season. Really want to keep this momentum up, just keep improving on my game, have a very good pre-season with Dmitry, just keep working. I think we’re doing the right things. My game is definitely improving in the right direction. I’m very excited for what’s to come.”

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