Kontaveit, Muguruza book WTA Finals showdown

Kontaveit, Muguruza book WTA Finals showdown

PARIS (AFP) - Australia’s 1999 Rugby World Cup-winning captain John Eales says his country hosting the tournament in 2027 for a third occasion will also be beneficial for the United States, Russia and others interested in org GUADALAJARA, Mexico, Nov 17, 2021 (AFP) - Anett Kontaveit will face Garbine Muguruza in the final of the season-ending WTA Finals in Guadalajara after both women battled through the semi-finals in contrasting fashion Tuesday.

Sixth seed Muguruza overpowered Spanish compatriot Paula Badosa 6-3, 6-3 to reach the final before the eighth-seeded Estonian Kontaveit needed three sets to down Greek fourth seed Maria Sakkari 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 in just over two hours.

It means two-time Grand Slam champion Muguruza will face Kontaveit in a rematch of their group game from earlier in the tournament. Muguruza defeated Kontaveit in straight sets when the two met on Sunday.

Against Badosa on Tuesday, Muguruza raced through the first set in just 35 minutes to seize the lead, but was made to work harder in the second.

Badosa paid the price for a loss of composure at crucial moments, notably in the third game of the second set when she squandered three break points.

Instead, Muguruza held for a 3-0 lead and with Badosa appearing increasingly annoyed with her performance, the result was never in doubt.

Badosa held serve in the fourth game to make it 3-1.

But a wild pulled return from Badosa allowed Muguruza to hold for a 4-1 lead, and Badosa was soon in trouble in the next game, going 0-40 down after two wild returns and a double-fault.

She rallied superbly to hold serve however, saving four break points, but the reprieve was only temporary.

The next two games went with serve to leave Muguruza serving for the match at 5-3.

Although Badosa took a 0-30 lead, Muguruza regrouped and claimed victory when Badosa sent a return into the net on match point.

In the late semi-final, Kontaveit had looked to be poised for a brisk victory after racing through the first set 6-1.

But the durable Sakkari battled back to take the second to level the match to set up a decider.

Kontaveit showed great character in the final set however, saving eight game points to break Sakkari for a 5-3 lead before serving out for the match.

anising the event for the first time.

Speaking in Paris to launch a players committee for the competition held in France in two years’ time, which also includes the likes of former Wales captain Gareth Thomas as well as ex-Les Bleus three-quarters Philippe Sella and Yannick Jauzion, Eales pointed out the example of Japan.

They failed with an attempt to host the 2011 event before reaching the quarter-finals on home soil two years ago.

"They didn’t win it that time and won the rights for 2019 and did a fantastic job," 51-year-old Eales said on Monday.

"Do you take it to an established country or do you grow the game by taking it somewhere else? I don’t think you can look at those two as mutually exclusive.

"There are ways to grow the game internationally by having it in Australia. World Rugby needs to keep considering and look at every bid on its merits," he added.

In April, Rugby Australia announced it had recorded a net deficit of $19.9 million for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Australia held the 1987 World Cup alongside New Zealand and the 2003 edition alone.

Eales led the side to their last Webb Ellis trophy success and said a Wallabies victory in France in less than 24 months’ time would give the sport a lift in Australia.

"Even in those lean times we’ve had some good moments but we haven’t been able to win another World Cup," former lock Eales said.

"It would be a great boost for the game in Australia. Australian sporting followers like supporting winners and over the years they’ve had a lot of teams who have been winning and they’ve had the focus.

"Winning the World Cup in 2023 would be a huge boost as well," he added before the January 14 deadline for bids with the winner announced by May 2022.

‘Consistent’ Hooper 

This weekend, Eales’ focus will be on Cardiff, where he won the World Cup in 1999, with the Wallabies playing Wales in the penultimate match of their end of year tour after last weekend’s loss to England.

The visitors will be without captain Michael Hooper through to injury and centre Samu Kerevi due to his commitments with his Japanese club.

Both individuals have been nominated for World Rugby’s player of the year award, alongside France captain Antoine Dupont and England lock Maro Itoje.

"They’re such great, consistent players. Michael Hooper has hardly missed a game. He’s so consistent in the way he performs week in, week out," Eales said.

"I’ve never seen Michael Hooper have a bad game, it would be nice if he has a chance at winning it," he added.