Muguruza beats Zheng to find her clay feet in Rome

ROME:Former French Open winner Garbine Muguruza warmed up for this month’s clay-court Grand Slam at Roland Garros by easing into the second round of the Italian Open on Monday with a straight sets win over China’s Zheng Saisai. Muguruza—a former world No 1 now ranked 19th—came through 6-3, 6-4 for her third win over 46th-ranked Saisai this season.

The 25-year-old Muguruza, who won the French Open in 2016 and Wimbledon in 2017, has twice reached the semi-finals in Rome.

“It was a slow start but I’m happy because last week wasn’t a good week for me,” Muguruza, who exited the Madrid Open in the first round, told said.

“I love Rome and it is very important for me to get as many matches as I can for the Grand Slam at the French Open.”

She next plays either Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki, the 11th seed, or American Danielle Collins, for a place in the third round. It was not a good day for Chinese players with two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka crushing Zhang Shuai 6-2, 6-1.