Will 20th ranked Garbine Muguruza inflict an upset over Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska? Join The Roar for live scores of the match on centre court from 10pm AEST.
Garbine Muguruza has become a known name in the tennis community over the last year or two. She has carried on her impressive form after beating Serena Williams in the 2014 French Open in straight sets in the second round.
At the time, Muguruza was 20 and she composed herself to beat Williams 6-2, 6-2 in just over an hour. Since the massive upset, Muguruza has continued to impress in grand slams and tour events, rising up the ranks from 35 to a current ranking of 20.
The right hander has a strong, powerful forehand and a solid, flowing, two handed backhand. Her game is very attacking and positive and she is a determined, fighter but can struggle to take a step back and play defensive tennis. Muguruza’s positive stroke play can sometimes be her down fall, with too many unforced errors, her serve can also be a liability at times but when her game play does come off, she can beat any player on her day.
Road to the Semi-Finals – Garbine Muguruza
1st Round – Varvara Lepchenko
2nd Round – Mirjana Lučić-Baroni
3rd Round – Angelique Kerber
4th Round – Caroline Wozniacki
Quarter-Finals – Timea Bacsinszky
Agnieszka Radwanska is 26 years old and is ranked number 13 on the women’s circuit. Radwanska progressed to the final of Wimbledon in 2012 and the Semi-Finals in Grand Slams on two other occasions, in the Australian Open last year and Wimbledon in 2013.
She has only lost one set this tournament (against Madison Keys last match), cruising her way through to the semi-finals.
Radwanska is a very consistent and experienced player who relies on her agility, flexibility and ability to manipulate the ball to awkward parts of the court for the opponent. She anticipates well but lacks the power and strength that Muguruza has. Agnieszka plays well at the net and has good match awareness, using her acquaintance to realise when to produce drop-shots and slices.
Road to the Semi-Finals – Agnieszka Radwanska
1st Round – Lucie Hradecká
2nd Round – Ajla Tomljanović
3rd Round – Casey Dellacqua
4th Round – Jelena Janković
Quarter-Finals – Madison Keys
The two have met on four previous occasions, with Radwanska winning two and Muguruza two. Their styles of play are on completely different ends of the spectrum, making it an interesting match up.
If Muguruza is able to pounce on Radwanska’s lethargic second serve and lack of power in her groundstrokes, as well as generate a consistent first serve, she will have a good chance of progressing to the final. She needs to play her natural game but try to keep points short and prevent Radwanska from manoeuvring the ball to gawky parts of the court.
As, I am a true fan of the underdog, I am tipping Muguruza to defeat Radwanska in three sets.
Will Agnieszka Radwanska’s unorthodox style of play and experience defeat young Spaniard, Garbine Muguruza?
Share your thoughts below in the comment section.
Join The Roar for live scores from around 10.00pm (AEST).
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