Garbine Muguruza, 23, clinched another big WTA title, this time at Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati dismantling Simona Halep in a very one-sided final encounter. Thus, Muguruza seems to have entered a new phase of her professional career, a chapter that she has the power to shape it on her own will. With Serena Williams skipping the most part of 2017 due to pregnancy, there were strong debates about who's gonna step up into the spotlight.
For a while, it was Halep who didn't handle the opportunities properly, then Karolina Pliskova who also doesn't seem to enjoy that much the headline status.
But, Muguruza may be a totally different type of player. Re-emerging from mediocrity during 2017 Wimbledon Championships, she went all the way to win her second grand slam title in singles.
A strong warm-up for 2017 US Open
Winning 2017 Wimbledon pressed some hidden buttons inside her as she went on preparing for the North American outdoor hard session. There were few moments for celebration after Wimbledon. So far, working on her bid for New York, Muguruza made an appearance on all three big WTA events of the summer. One by one, she traveled to Stanford, Toronto and Cincinnati, winning the last event. But, in Stanford and Canada, she had some decent matches too. Her latest success in Ohio seems to be part of a strategy that has Muguruza aiming for another peak of form during 2017 US Open Tennis Championships.
The last Grand Slam of the season holds a different stake as the 23-year-old may even be the new world No. 1 by the end of it. With Karolina Pliskova, Simona Halep and Caroline Wozniacki having to defend significant amounts of points, Muguruza has little to worry about. If those from above will fail in the opening stages, Muguruza can see her ranking soaring to the world No.
1without reaching the higher stages of the tournament.
Muguruza is the No. 1 in WTA Race
Wimbledon was the turning point of what can be a really strong season for Muguruza. Currently ranked third in the world, the 2017 ranking alone has her at the top after her perfect run in Cincinnati. As a proof of her overall improvement throughout the past few years, she has already qualified for the WTA Finals.
It will be her third presence in a row in Singapore. But, there may be few unfinished business up until then with US Open looming ahead. At 23 years of age, the Spaniard has plenty of time ahead to impose her own reign over the women's tennis. The upcoming US Open will give her the opportunity to put her name in the upper drawer.
