WTA Stanford 2017 (The Bank of the West Classic) won't quite live up to its billing. On Sunday Madison Keys will face Coco Vandeweghe in the final, and that's not that bad of a championship match for such a low-tiered tournament. Certainly, due to the American nationalities of both finalists, it will be a good draw in California. However, about ten days ago, as Stanford's draw-release approached, the names on the players' list included Maria Sharapova, Petra Kvitova, Victoria Azarenka, and Garbine Muguruza. Who would have thought that not one of them would be in the final more than a week later?
Sharapova went out ahead of the second round with an injury. Petra Kvitova lost a quarterfinal match to Catherine Bellis. Azarenka pulled out pre-tournament, claiming that she was sick shortly after getting a wild card into Cincinnati. Lastly, Wimbledon champ Garbine Muguruza lost in the semifinals to Keys. Perhaps the Spaniard losing was the least surprising development of all given her history.
Muguruza has slumped before
Ahead of the tournament, I wondered, out loud, what to expect of Garbine Muguruza following her Wimbledon 2017 title. In a July 30th article, I reminded fans of what happened last time she won a Grand Slam, her first one at the 2016 French Open. What followed between Roland Garros 2016 and Wimbledon 2017 was a lengthy title drought and slump.
During that time any in-shape player in the top 100 had a reasonable chance against Muguruza. While losing to Keys certainly isn't a terrible loss, the Spaniard was never in the semifinal match at Stanford. She lost it 6-3, 6-2 in less than an hour.
Writing ahead of the tournament, I felt that Stanford was "a great tournament to see where Muguruza (was) at regarding hunger" (July 30th).
I felt that she needed to either win the title or scrap well against a top player before going out. Losing to Keys does fit losing to a top player. However, 12 games lost to 5 won isn't that scrappy out of performance out of the Spaniard, especially at this point in Keys' career where she is staging a bit of a comeback.
Toronto next for the Spaniard
It looks like Muguruza's roller coaster peaked again with her Wimbledon title. If her ambitions are satisfied for the moment, then don't be surprised if she stays in a lull. Muguruza's next stop is the round of 32 in the Rogers Cup in Toronto. Her draw all the way to the semis isn't bad with Ana Konjuh and Elena Vesnina looming large as possible early-round foes. But if a spot in the final comes down to hunger, then look for Simona Halep to take the spot in the bottom half of the draw. She might not have a major, but then maybe that just might make her hungrier than Muguruza right now. The Spaniard took a Working Holiday after winning the French, and she might do the same now that she has won Wimbledon.