ZHUHAI, China: China’s number one Wang Qiang hailed a “miracle” after she outclassed double Grand Slam winner Garbine Muguruza yesterday to book a place in the final of the WTA Elite Trophy.
The 26-year-old took full advantage of a late call-up to the semi-final tie in Zhuhai after American Madison Keys pulled out just hours before the match started.
Spurred on by home fans at the Hengqin International Tennis Centre, Wang dominated the former world number one, winning 11 games in a row to take the match 6-2, 6-0 and set up a title showdown today against Ashleigh Barty.
The world number 22 looked calm and focused during the 73-minute semi-final, while Muguruza appeared out of sorts and frustrated, clattering her racket on to the court in the second set.
“I just relaxed very well, there’s no pressure,” Wang said at her post-match press conference.
Improve
The 11th seed, who beat Keys on Friday night in a round-robin match, said she had hardly any time to get ready for the semi-final.
“I didn’t think about what to improve,” she said. “I just wanted to keep going.”
Asked about preparing for today’s final, Wang said: “It’s already a miracle for me to stand on the court. So what I’ll do is I’ll just relax tomorrow.”
Muguruza said Wang’s performance was “excellent”, adding: “She was playing incredible shots and not missing anything.”
Asked if she was affected by the last-minute change of opponent, she said: “I mean, these things happen. I was ready to play a tough match, either it’s Keys or Wang, whoever it is.
“But, no, I think I played a very tough opponent today. Maybe she was also a little bit surprised that she was playing and a little bit more relaxed.”
Barty earlier overcame defending champion Julia Goerges 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.
The Australian grew into the semi-final against Germany’s Goerges, seeded fifth, and dominated the third set to book her place in today’s final.
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