Garbine Muguruza has lamented her pattern of fading away in the final set of matches, the two-time major winner struggling in Melbourne’s extreme heat on Tuesday and exiting the Australian Open early.
The two-time major winner described her 6-3, 6-7 (3-7), 1-6 loss to seeded Belgian Elise Mertens, before the Australian Open’s extreme heat policy came into play, as “really tough”.
Garbine Muguruza receives medical treatment during her first-round loss to Elise Mertens.Credit:Getty Images
Spaniard Muguruza appeared to experience cramp in the lopsided deciding set but, regardless her capacity to close out matches is firmly front of mind.
A Roland-Garros and Wimbledon champion, Muguruza has lost her past eight deciding sets in a pattern that goes back 12 months.
“[It was] tough because I thought I had a moment to close the match and I didn’t do it, and that gave her a huge boost,” said Muguruza of the frustrating defeat.
“I lost my momentum there in the second set, clearly in the third set she was more fired up and I was physically struggling more.
“It’s difficult to lose first round. It’s never easy to accept it.”
The Australian Open implemented the final stage of its heat policy, suspending matches on outside courts, not long after 2pm.
“The AO heat stress scale has reached ‘five’ and play will be suspended on the outside courts,” the tournament said.
“This means play continues until the end of an even number of games or the completion of a tiebreak.
“No new matches will be called to court. Play on outdoor practice courts is also suspended.”
Muguruza acknowledged she felt the pinch as the temperature rose in Melbourne.
“I wasn’t expecting today to suffer on court, and [that] the heat was going to be there,” she said.
“Definitely the match was intense, but I think nerves and tiredness affected me in the third set.”
Muguruza also dropped the third set 6-1 to Canadian Bianca Andreescu in Adelaide two weeks ago.
“I think I’m struggling to have opportunities to close [out matches],” she said.
“You kind of feel like you have it, but no, and obviously the other one [your opponent] becomes stronger.
“I definitely have to find a way to be more competitive in those moments when my opponent is bringing the highest level of the match.”
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