Czech mate as qualifier Muchova stuns Muguruza at the US Open
NEW YORK: Czech qualifier Karolina Muchova stunned two-time Grand Slam champion Garbine Muguruza at the US Open on Wednesday, dumping the Spaniard out in the second round with a threeset victory.
Muchova, who came into the match against the 12th seed with a world ranking of 202, was understandably nervous from the outset but grew into the contest and eventually prevailed 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in two hours and 27 minutes.
Muguruza, a former world No 1 who has triumphed at Wimbledon and the French Open, showed plenty of her Grand Slam pedigree by racing into a 5-0 lead as she appeared on course for a routine victory.
The Spaniard closed out the opener in 37 minutes and few of those watching the match unfold would have predicted what was to follow.
Muchova, playing in the main draw of a Grand Slam for the first time, quickly turned the tables at the start of the second set, evening up the contest after she opened a 3-0 lead on the back of some brave shot-making.
“It’s the first match for me on such a big stadium so I was feeling nervous.
“Somehow I got used to it, I don’t know how,” the 22-year-old said in a courtside interview.
“I don’t even know. I was surviving but I think the (fans) helped me a lot.”
After she settled, Muchova displayed an adept ability to mix up her play, slogging it out from the baseline before picking the right moments to charge the net.
Muguruza, a traditional baseliner, tried to change her tactics to regain the initiative but Muchova kept her at bay with a selection of passing shots and lobs every time the Spaniard ventured forward.
Overall, Muchova hit eight aces and 41 winners as she rallied from a break down in the deciding set to seal victory and claim the biggest win of her career as the clock ticked past 1am at the Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Next up for the Czech is a third-round meeting with Australian 18th seed Ashleigh Barty.
Serena Williams overpowered German Carina Witthoeft 6-2, 6-2 on Wednesday to set up a third-round clash with big sister Venus.
Williams sent down 13 aces and 30 winners to record her second consecutive straight sets victory at Flushing Meadows as the 36-year-old, who is hunting a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title, wrapped up the win in one hour and seven minutes.
“It’s always such a great crowd at night. It’s just amazing to play in front of this crowd,” she said courtside after her victory. “I was happy with a lot of things.”
Next up is a 30th career meeting with Venus, who beat her younger sibling in their most recent encounter at Indian Wells earlier this year.
The last time the two sisters met at a Grand Slam was in the 2017 Australian Open final, where Serena prevailed in straight sets.
“It’s obviously a tough match,” Serena added.
“It’s so young in the tournament, but it is what it is. It’s not the end of the world. We would rather have met later. We’re both going to come out per usual and play our best in front of you guys.
“Normally, I would say cheer for me. But, whoever you feeling – me or Venus will work.”