Garbine Mugurza arrived in Doha in shaky form after an early exit in Dubai last week but the Spaniard is ready to defend her final points from last year.
Last year's
Qatar Open was superb for Muguruza who reached the final of the event but lost to Petra Kvitova in the final. Muguruza will need to play much better than in Dubai in order to defend a huge number of points she won last year. Speaking ahead of the event she admitted she was ready for it:
"So far (so) good. I have been training, I have been getting ready. It’s a tournament that I have played (at for) so many years. I know, I think, how it is and how to prepare. Just waiting for an opponent and hopefully, I can start tomorrow.”
She played in the final twice so far and lost both times to Petra Kvitova. It's something that motivates her as well as the prestige of the event:
“I keep coming (to Doha) because it is a big tournament. It’s important
on our calendar. Like you said, I have played well in the past (lost to
Petra Kvitova in two finals). I have been very, very, very close to
getting the title twice. But playing finals, it’s always a very good sign, so I feel like I know
how to play here. Hopefully I can bring all of these match experiences
into this year’s tournament"