Hopman Cup: Muguruza Overcomes Injury Scare To Beat Cornet
4th January 2019
The dual Grand Slam champion and world number 18 had lost her two previous singles matches in Perth to top 20 duo Angelique Kerber and Ashleigh Barty
- Spain’s Garbine Muguruza collected her first singles win of the new season, but also picked up an injury concern at the mixed teams Hopman Cup in Perth Friday
- However, she overcame a thigh injury to beat Frenchwoman Alize Cornet, herself troubled by a back injury throughout the match, as Spain won their final tie 2-1
- Muguruza had treatment after the third game of the first set against Cornet, by which time she had two breaks of serve and a 3-0 lead, and later withdrew from the mixed doubles
PERTH, Australia-
Spain’s Garbine Muguruza collected her first singles win of the new season, but
also picked up an injury concern at the mixed teams Hopman Cup in Perth Friday.
The dual Grand Slam champion and world number 18 had lost
her two previous singles matches in Perth to top 20 duo Angelique Kerber and
Ashleigh Barty.
However, she overcame a thigh injury to beat Frenchwoman
Alize Cornet, herself troubled by a back injury throughout the match, as Spain
won their final tie 2-1.
The Spanish team of Muguruza and David Ferrer were already
out of contention for the final.
Muguruza had treatment after the third game of the first set
against Cornet, by which time she had two breaks of serve and a 3-0 lead, and
later withdrew from the mixed doubles.
In the singles, she played on after an extended injury
timeout and returned to the court with her left thigh strapped, less than two
weeks out from the Australian Open.
Cornet, ranked 45th in the world, had her lower back worked
on at the end of the first set and appeared likely to quit, but battled on in
clear discomfort.
Her efforts were in vain though, as Muguruza claimed another
early break in the second set and cruised to a 6-1, 6-3 win.
Significant
discomfort
Muguruza said it was a confidence boosting win and while she
didn’t believe the injury was serious, said the leg was causing significant
discomfort.
"She is tough competitor and we have played lots of
times," Muguruza said of Cornet.
"It is always hard (playing Alize)... it is good for my
confidence.
"It (leg) is so sore, we have been playing a lot this
week –- I felt a little bit of pain in my quad."
Muguruza is scheduled to continue her Australian Open
preparation in Sydney next week.
In a see-sawing men’s singles match, the veteran Ferrer
appeared set for an easy win when he was up a set and a break against Lucas
Pouille, but then had to work overtime to scratch out the win.
Ferrer served for the match in the third set, but in the end
needed a tie-break to win, 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/2) after a marathon rally on
match point.
With Muguruza unavailable, the Spaniards forfeited the dead
mixed doubles rubber.