Monterrey (Mexico): Spain’s Garbine Muguruza successfully defended her Monterrey Open tennis tournament title Sunday as her Victoria Azarenka retired injured from her first WTA singles final in three years.
Second seed Muguruza was leading the match between the two former World No.1s 6-1, 3-1 when the Belarusian decided she can’t continue due to her right leg injury.
“It’s unfortunate I couldn’t give my best today (Sunday), but I tried my hardest,” a tearful Azarenka, who had not previously reached final since the birth of her first child in December 2016, said at the presentation.
“I want to say thank you to my son Leo, who is not with me here. I would love him to be here to share this with me because it is special.”
Muguruza’s victory never looked in doubt and ensured that the record run of different women winning WTA titles this season would be extended to 16 tournaments.
The former French Open and Wimbledon champion broke pained Azarenka three times in the first set and again in the fourth game of the second.
“It’s a great feeling to come back and defend a title,” Muguruza said. “It’s never easy.” Azarenka received treatment on her leg during a medical time-out between sets, but it became apparent as the second set began that her movement had become significantly hampered.
Azarenka was grimacing and stretching after nearly every point and, after Muguruza broke for a 3-1 lead, the two-time Australian Open champion decided to call it quits. The Belarusian had entered the final full of hope after surprising top seed Angelique Kerber 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 in Saturday’s semifinals.