Garbiñe Muguruza said it was a ‘dream’ to advance to her first Wimbledon final after dismantling Agnieszka Radwanska’s Wimbledon hopes with an awesome display.
The Spaniard secured her passage with a 6-2 3-6 6-3 victory as Radwanska wilted under the Centre Court heat and the ferocity of Muguruza’s play.
The 21-year-old becomes the first Spaniard in 19 years to make the finals at the All England Club.
Mugurza said: “I don’t have words to explain it. I think I was playing really good [sic] so I had to calm down and put on a poker face.
“I was thinking the match was going to be tough. I was so nervous in the second set. She has a lot of experience so I had to fight.
“It is going to be a dream. I am in the final of Wimbledon.”
Muguruza stormed to a 6-2 win in the opening set as her punishing strokes overwhelmed Radwanska.
It was more of the same from the Spanish No 20 seed in the opening salvos of the second set as she broke Radwanska to take a 2-0 lead.
A 109mph rocket of an ace helped Muguruza on her way to a 3-1 lead and Radwanska struggled to live with her opponent’s searing deliveries.
But the Pole delayed Muguruza’s relentless march with a break to level at 3-3, then a smashed overheard volley nailed her second break before she held serve to level the contest at one set all.
Muguruza was broken early in the deciding set, but regathered her composure, breaking back as as she headed for a 5-2 lead.
She secured victory on her first match point and revealed afterwards that Conchita Martinez, the last Spanish winner here in 1994, had been advising her beforehand.
“Conchita won here and she was giving me tips,” said Muguruza.
Image courtesy of Wimbledon via YouTube, with thanks
