DUBAI: Unseeded Daria Kasatkina upset Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza 3-6, 7-6 (13-11), 6-1 on Friday with a dramatic fightback in their semifinal at the Dubai Championships.
After dropping the opening set and falling a break behind in the second, the 20-year-old Russian turned the tables, leaving the world number three gasping and completely out of the deciding set.
Kasatkina saved nine of 12 break points and broke Muguruza five times in a thriller lasting for more than two and a half hours.
In the second set the unseeded Kasatkina saved three Muguruza match points before coming good on her fourth set point.
In the third, Kasatkina, ranked 24th and winner of the Charleston title last spring, rode her rising momentum as the fight drained out of Muguruza.
âI was just trying to fight for every ball because Garbine, sheâs playing unbelievable,â Kasatkina said.
âSheâs very tough opponent. Sheâs hitting so hard, playing so fast. I was just trying to do whatever I could.
âBefore the match I was really, really tired. When youâre going on court, adrenaline is coming.
âYou start to run, blood start to run into your body, thatâs it. Youâre just focused on every ball. The tired is somewhere, going somewhere.â
Muguruza had been aiming to become only the fifth player to reach both Doha (last weekend) and Dubai finals in the same season.
âMy game was fine. I feel I really struggled physically because Iâve been playing so many matches in a row. Today was very physical,â Muguruza said.
âAt the third set I really noticed it because my legs were starting to get very fatigue. I think all the accumulation came up a little bit.
âIâm remaining positive, I managed to play a lot of matches, good ones, final and semifinal. I think itâs a great two weeks.â
Kasatkina will face either holder Elina Svitolina, the top seed, or Germanyâs former No. 1 Angelique Kerber.
Daria Kasatkina upsets Garbine Muguruza to reach Dubai final
Updated 23 February 2018
Daria Kasatkina upsets Garbine Muguruza to reach Dubai final
