Garbine Muguruza secured straight sets 6-3, 6-3 win over Paula Badosa at Estadio Akron de Tenis. Garbine Muguruza advanced to the championship match of the WTA Finals after defeating fellow Spaniard Badosa in Guadalajara. Muguruza proved herself as the best Spanish player in the opening semifinal. The 28-year-old star became the first Spanish player to reach the singles final at the WTA Finals since 1993.

In the first battle between the Spanish countrywomen, Muguruza took 1 hour 25 minutes to outclass Badosa and made it into the season-ending title match. The opening semifinal guaranteed a Spaniard into the singles championship match for only the second time. Former World No.1 Spanish player Arantxa Sanchez Vicario was the runner-up to German Stefanie Graf in 1993.

Two-time Grand Slam champion Muguruza continued her long stretch of excellent form on Mexican soil. Muguruza has a 13-2 main-draw win-loss record in Mexico. Muguruza sealed her sixth Top 10 win of the season with her victory over Badosa. Former World No.1 player has now won 41 matches this season, her highest total since 2017, when she recorded 45-18.

Muguruza delivered a commanding display and gave relentless pressure to her opponent from start to finish. Badosa never broke Muguruza in the battle. Muguruza saved all three break-points that she faced. Muguruza’s firepower shots put Badosa on the back foot in the opening set. Muguruza dominated the game with terrific timing and depth. She earned an early lead by breaking Badosa and moved ahead 2-1.

Muguruza won 81 percent of points when she got her first serve into play and was in total control when returning Badosa’s second serves. While Muguruza won 67 percent on 2nd serves, Badosa had just 35 percent. Muguruza broke the Indian Wells champion for a second time with a forehand winner and sealed the first set.

Badosa made Muguruza work harder in the second set. Badosa lost her composure at crucial moments and gifted three break-points to her opponent. However, Badosa held serves in the fourth game to make it 1-3. A wild pulled return from Badosa allowed Muguruza to take a 4-1 lead.

Badosa made a double–fault and went down in the next game. Muguruza served for the match point at 5-3. Though Badosa took a 0-30 lead, Muguruza sealed a win when Badosa hit a backhand into the net on match point. Garbine Muguruza will face either Anett Kontaveit or Maria Sakkari in the championship match at Akron Finals.