The unseeded Magdaelena Rybarikova will be out to continue her incredible run through Wimbledon when she takes on former grand slam champion Garbine Muguruza. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 10pm (AEST).
Muguruza came into Wimbledon as anything but the favourite. Despite grass being a surface that suits her, 2017 hasn’t been kind to the Spaniard, as she has dropped all the way down to 15th on the world rankings after sitting in the top five during 2016.
Things didn’t improve in Paris at the recent French Open, when she was bundled out in the fourth round at the hands of Kristina Mladenovic.
Muguruza’s grass court season got off to an indifferent start. She won matches she was supposed to reasonably easily, then got out of a battle with Coco Vandeweghe in the quarter-finals at Birmingham thanks to her opponent retiring.
A shock loss to Ashleigh Barty followed in the semi-finals, before she lost to Barbora Strycova in the first round at Eastbourne. It was a straight sets demolition job 6-1, 6-0, but she has turned things around well at Wimbledon.
Muguruza, who made her only Wimbledon finals appearance in 2015 has only dropped a single set during the tournament, having to bounce back against Angelique Kerber in the fourth round.
She was back to her best in the quarter-finals though, knocking over Svetlana Kuznetsova in three sets.
Rybarikova has had a stunning run through the grass court season. The world No.87 narrowly qualified for the main draw after dropping just a single match in three tournaments.
She opened with victory in Surbiton, defeating Heather Watson in the final, before being knocked out in the semi-final at Nottingham by the Wimbledon sixth seed Johanna Konta.
The Slovakian then took out the tournament at Ilkey, only dropping two sets for the tournaments entirety and getting past both Madison Brengle and Andrea Petkovic on her way to victory.
At Wimbledon, Rybarikova has used her serve and power game to drop just two sets over the first five matches. It’s been a case of upset after upset, with Karolina Pliskova, Petra Martic and most recently Coco Vandeweghe falling by the wayside.
The 6-3, 6-3 victory over Vandeweghe was particularly impressive.
The pair have faced off four times previously, with the ledger split at 2-2. Rybarikova won their only grass meeting during 2015 on grass at Birmingham, with Rybarikova winning in straight sets.
In their only grand slam meeting, Muguruza won an epic in the first round of the Australian Open to the tune of 4-6, 6-1 14-12.
Don’t be surprised if something similar happens here. Both players have the ability to push their opponent around the court and hold serve with relative ease.
Prediction
This deep in a grand slam, Muguruza holds a huge experience advantage and should win after a grinding third set.
Muguruza in three sets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores of this semi-final from 10pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment below.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Yeah absolutely. Either way, we should be in for a cracking final on Saturday evening.
Avatar
Roar Guru
That was a brutal performance from Garbine Muguruza. Either Venus Williams or Johanna Konta would have to be very nervous, as Serena Williams was at last year's French Open (when she knew she would be facing Muguruza in the final). I'd love Konta to reach the final but my head says Venus will make it.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me for The Roar's live coverage of the 2017 Wimbledon Championships as Garbine Muguruza goes through to the final with a straight sets win. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. We are moving straight onto the next one right here on The Roar, with Venus Williams playing Johanna Konta. Join me there. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
GAME, SET, MATCH GARBINE MUGURUZA That's stunning from Muguruza. She has dominated for an hour and four minutes, and the last point just about sums it up. Great defence before she ripped a ball down the line, with Rybarikova putting a runner into the net. Muguruza is through to the final on Saturday and in absolutely brilliant form. She will face either Johanna Konta or Venus Williams, who are up next. Garbine Muguruza 6 6 Magdalena Rybarikova 1 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
Rybarikova saves the first of three match points. Forehand to the corner as an approach shot, then Muguruza lobs long. Muguruza 6 5 - 40 Rybarikova 1 1 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Rybarikova, before Muguruza attacks the second with a backhand. Rybarikova again sends a forehand long, and we have match point. After just 63 minutes, Muguruza has three match points against serve. Muguruza 6 5 - 40 Rybarikova 1 1 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault. The second is at the body and returned short. Muguruza defends her way into the point before winning it with power. Muguruza 6 5 - 30 Rybarikova 1 1 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Rybarikova serving to stay in the match and she is immediately on the run after a great return of serve before putting a forehand long. Muguruza 6 5 - 15 Rybarikova 1 1 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Body serve, before a longer rally breaks out. Rybarikova being ran from side-to-side before putting a backhand drop shot into the net. Muguruza one game from the victory. Muguruza 6 5 - Rybarikova 1 1 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Rybarikova with a lovely drop shot and half volley lob to win that point. Muguruza 6 4 - 40 Rybarikova 1 1 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Muguruza before Rybarikova returns the second long with a backhand. Poor movement there. Muguruza 6 4 - 40 Rybarikova 1 1 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Kick serve there and Muguruza opens up the court with ease on a short angled forehand before going back down the line. Muguruza 6 4 - 30 Rybarikova 1 1 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Muguruza. The second is at the body and returned with a backhand. Muguruza follows up with a ball into the corner that Rybarikova sends wide on the run. Muguruza 6 4 - 15 Rybarikova 1 1 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Short return of serve, then a forehand into the net from Muguruza. So, Rybarikova on the scoreboard in the second. Muguruza 6 4 - Rybarikova 1 1 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wide serve and that's returned long. Muguruza 6 4 - Rybarikova 1 0 - AD
Scott Pryde
Expert
That's good stuff from Rybarikova. Wide serve, then she gets on top of the point with forehands before Muguruza sends one into the net. Muguruza 6 4 - Rybarikova 1 0 - deuce (4)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Body serve, then an approach shot that was neither here nor there. Rybarikova gets to the net, but Muguruza smacks the backhand down the line. Muguruza 6 4 - AD Rybarikova 1 0 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Rybarikova. Muguruza attacks the second, then answers a volley and lob combination, but can't get the run around backhand over. Rybarikova is having to work so, so hard for every single point here. Muguruza 6 4 - Rybarikova 1 0 - deuce (3)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wide serve, returned short and Rybarikova comes to the net, chipping a half volley long. Muguruza 6 4 - AD Rybarikova 1 0 -