'Proud' Garbine Muguruza aiming for maiden Dubai crown

Spaniard continues rich vein of form reaching second final in seven days

Garbine Muguruza of Spain plays a backhand during her hard-fought semi-final win over Elise Mertens in Dubai. Getty

Garbine Muguruza says she is very proud of her consistency after reaching a third final from five tournaments contested so far this season.

The former world number one needed seven match points to overcome a stubborn Elise Mertens 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) in the Dubai semi-finals on Friday, and is now into her second final in as many weeks after finishing runner-up in Doha six days ago.

The ninth-seeded Spaniard, who is searching for her first title since Monterrey in 2019, owns a tour-leading 17 match-wins in 2021 and will be bidding for a maiden Dubai crown when she faces the Czech Republic's Barbora Krejcikova in the final on Saturday.

"I'm very proud. It's one of the hardest things to find some sort of balance, some sort of feeling more stable on the court, level-wise as well, and bringing every day a good level of tennis and being there every round," said the two-time Grand Slam champion.

"I feel like that's something very hard to achieve and it takes some time. It's a journey for everybody.

"I feel like for some people, they get it early in their career, some others a little bit later. But I feel like it's a combination of experience and knowing yourself a little bit more."

Muguruza has been without coach Conchita Martinez in Doha and Dubai after she contracted Covid-19 and was forced to isolate.

The 27-year-old Muguruza was broken while serving for the opening set against Mertens - who had saved three match points against Jessica Pegula in the previous round - but struck back immediately to take the lead in 52 minutes.

Muguruza served for the match at 5-3 in the second but Mertens saved four match points as the duel fittingly went to a tie-break which the Spaniard won at her seventh opportunity with some brave net play.

Meanwhile, Krejcikova became the lowest-ranked women's finalist in the Dubai tournament's history after she defeated Swiss left-hander Jil Teichmann 7-5, 6-2.

The world number 63, making her singles debut in the emirate this week, has yet to drop a set on route to the biggest final of her career.

The former doubles world number one has never faced Muguruza before.

"I actually cannot wait. I'm just looking forward so much to play her. She's such a good player, she's already a legend, all the respect to her," an emotional Krejcikova said on court after her win.