SINGAPORE — Second-seeded Garbine Muguruza had a successful debut at the WTA Finals, beating Lucie Safarova 6-3, 7-6 (4) Monday.
The 22-year-old Muguruza is the first Spaniard to play in the WTA Finals since Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario in 2001.
"To go here, and play and win for the first time, it's great," Muguruza said. "So I feel now more calm, more in the tournament."
Muguruza lost to Safarova in the French Open quarterfinals, the only other time they have met.
"I remember the last match I played against her," Muguruza said. "It was tough for me because I lost.