Agnieszka Radwanska vs Garbine Muguruza
The Pole may have by far more WTA titles, but it is Muguruza who, among the two, has won a Grand Slam title. The Spanish 22-year-old hit the big time late last year, this year taking a straight sets win over Serena Williams on the clay courts of Roland Garros this year to win her first – and so far only Grand Slam title.
Following her win, many pipped Muguruza to be a ‘future No. 1’, among them former top-ranked player Chris Evert; Muguruza’s French Open victory had been ever more notable courtesy the fact that she had begun 2016 on a low note.
However, the Spanish ace’s season has seemed to dip since. A few strong finishes on the Tour this year helped Muguruza cement her place in the WTA Finals, but she has so far been unable to replicate the form that won her the French Open title.
Defending champion Radwanska and Muguruza are longtime rivals – and it is the younger Muguruza who leads the pair’s 7 match record 4-3. Interestingly their most recent meeting was at the semi-finals of the tournament last year – with Muguruza putting up a solid fight despite losing.
Radwanska has described Muguruza as having ‘explosive power’ in her serves – while Radwanska herself is not known for power but for agility and strategy, earning her the nickname ‘The Ninja’.
Muguruza has not been in significant form of late, so it remains to be seen whether the Spaniard can bring out some power-hitting against Radwanska.
Prediction: Radwanska to win in three sets
