As in the previous days of the tournament, Mexico surrendered to Garbiñe Muguruza and Paula Badosa, regardless of whether they were both rivals this time. The Akron court, in Guadalajara, was divided at times between the former world number one and the recent Indian Wells champion. “Do not crack, Paula!” They shouted from the stands to the Catalan. “Come on, Garbi!” They shouted from other sectors. The Mexican people, who were reluctant to remain silent for wanting to embrace the Spanish women, witnessed the historic pass to the final of Muguruza and the tennis player tries to respond to the support with good words.
“It is the most emotional environment, it is the best Masters to play a final”, responds to EL PAÍS after achieving the victory, while walking through one of the terraces of the complex.
Muguruza wears an all-black tracksuit, white sneakers, and wears a gold watch on her left wrist. She is happy but contained. The Spaniard says that she still has work to do, and that despite having become the second national player to reach the final of the Teachers’ Cup – after Arantxa Sánchez Vicario, in 1993 – the work is unfinished.
“I digest well being historical for Spain. I have a good chance tomorrow [por este miércoles] And, whatever happens, I’m going to leave very happy to have reached the final. But hopefully I can be the first Spanish woman to win the trophy ”, she tells this newspaper.
“Game by game I feel that my game, my shots and my serve have gotten better. It was the best game here, ”the finalist specified before her coach intervened. “The truth is that it was a very good game, very intelligent for Garbiñe. He played an aggressive game, he remained patient, he served perfect and he did not lose it. The height in Guadalajara [1.566 metros sobre el nivel de mar] It is a subject to work on, but that is what we come to. We had plenty of time to work on it and it is reflected on the court, ”explains Conchita Martínez, the 1994 Wimbledon champion and on her second day of the standings.
Playing a Masters in Mexico, an alternative venue to Shenzhen (China), and reaching the final is “a super-motivating cocktail” for Muguruza, at the gates of a historic day in which she will face the Estonian Anett Kontaveit (6-1, 3 -6 and 6-3 to the Greek Maria Sakkari). “I want to focus on myself, knowing it’s going to be tough. There are no favorites here, there is another game left and I don’t want to let go “, underlines the fifth in the world, who will rise to third position and has before her” a unique opportunity “to achieve a title that would differentiate her and add a bonus to her record. .
Meanwhile, Badosa was expressing herself from helplessness. “I have not enjoyed anything. I have not been able to compete, I do not know what happened. In my case, I have not been at the level ”, mentioned the Catalan in the conference room. “You can win or lose, but it annoys me not being able to compete. Anxiety got the better of me. It has cost me to calm down and focus, “he lamented.
“I have a level or two to improve. I have improved mentally, but I want to continue learning. I am left with the fact that this year I have realized that I have been stronger than I thought ”, he completed after the game, played with the sun hitting the Mexican asphalt beautifully.
“I am very proud of Paula and very impressed, she deserves everything,” praised Muguruza, who has gone from less to more in Guadalajara and who dominates the particular crosses with Kontaveit (3-2), whom she surpassed three days ago, when their continuity in the tournament was played for heads or tails. When push comes to shove, Muguruza multiplies.
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