Venus Williams claimed the 47th WTA singles title of her career as Garbine Muguruza retired from their Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open final with a left ankle injury in the middle of the second set.
After rallying from 5-3 in the third set to overcome surging British qualifier Johanna Konta in the quarterfinals and saving a match point in Friday’s semi against Roberta Vinci, the unseeded Williams used her experience to win the close first set 6-3 against the fifth-seeded Muguruza, while the American didn’t have to do much in the second set, as the Spaniard’s body couldn’t handle the stress any longer and trailing 3-0 she pulled out.
The 24th-ranked Williams has now won her biggest title in more than five years, earning $456,000 in prize money, and is projected to rise ten spots in the WTA rankings. Muguruza can console herself with the fact that despite this unfortunate outcome she will make a Top 5 debut in the WTA rankings on Monday, going up from No. 8 to No.5.
Venus’ winning outfit: the navy EleVen Kaleidoscope Love Tank, featuring contrast trim on straps, and the EleVen Kaleidoscope Print Set Point 14.5″ Skirt.
Oh, seriously? Forced to retire when 3-6, 0-3 down? You are a professional tennis player, get up and fight! Congrats to Venus.
It’s too bad both players were so hobbled in the final. They had played beautiful tennis to get there and had they both been injury free it would have been a treat to watch them play.
It was a pity that Muguruza was forced to retire in the second set. It could have been a great final, but anyway so deserved for Venus Williams. Her 47th WTA singles title is really amazing! Both players had still such a great week. Muguruza will definitely win big titles. I hope that both players can qualify for Singapore.