Belgium’s Kirsten Flipkens utilized her variety to her full advantage on a sunny Tuesday afternoon, spoiling a homecoming for top seed and Roland Garros champion Garbiñe Muguruza with a comprehensive 6-3, 6-4 victory to book her place in the second round of the 2016 Mallorca Open.
Flipkens Recovers from Early Deficit, Takes Opener as Muguruza Rues Missed Chances
Much like in their last meeting at this year’s Australian Open, it was the higher-ranked Spaniard who got off to the better start, breaking straight away to open proceedings before consolidating the early break with relative ease. In danger of going within a point of going down a double break, Flipkens raised her level slightly, benefiting from a couple of unforced errors from Muguruza to get on the board and keep in touch with the world number two. That slight shift in momentum proved costly for Muguruza, as she was made to rue the first of a number of missed chances as she would go on to be broken a game later as Flipkens leveled the score at two-games-apiece. In a tense fifth game, the Spaniard rebounded nicely, earning herself two break points in all to edge her nose back in front by a break, but much like in the Belgian’s last service game, the top seed was unable to capitalize, as Flipkens would go on to hold for 3-2.
From there, the pair would exchange a pair of holds before a pivotal eighth game would ultimately prove to be decisive in the final outcome of the set. With Muguruza unable to maintain a steady consistency as the set progressed, Flipkens capitalized; the former Wimbledon semifinalist using her variety to her full advantage as she broke at the first time of asking, thus taking a crucial 5-3 lead. Serving for the set, it was a case of second time lucky for the Belgian as she routinely served out the set, winning it 6-3.
Decisive Break in Game Seven Ultimately Seals Victory for Flipkens
Unlike in the opening set, a set dominated by an abundance of momentum shifts and break point opportunities, the first six games of the second set went with serve, with the receiver unable to create any opportunities to break and draw first blood. But in a pivotal seventh game, things took a slight, yet dramatic turn in favour of the Belgian. With Muguruza seemingly on her way to continuing the trend with a seventh consecutive hold in the second frame, Flipkens stepped up to the plate, a series of three points in succession earning her the first—and ultimately last—break of the set.
From there, the match would go with serve for the rest of the match, ultimately culminating in a comprehensive 6-3, 6-4 victory for Flipkens, the biggest of her career in terms of ranking.
Flipkens to Meet Puig Next
With this victory, Flipkens will now meet Puerto Rico’s Monica Puig, a straight-sets winner over Germany’s Julia Goerges earlier in the day. Flipkens and Puig have met twice before, with the Belgian—the more experienced of the two—coming away with both victories in straight sets, though they were both on hard courts.