Muchova wins the battle in front of her, keeps WTA Finals hopes alive

Karolina Muchova currently holds the eighth and final spot in the WTA Finals race and is fighting to keep it. But Friday, her focus was on the battle right in front of her.

The 30-year-old Czech star beat Katie Boulter 7-6 (3), 6-1 in front of a large crowd on the Lotus Court, booking her ticket to the third round at the China Open.

“I feel like it’s on the mind of everyone else,” Muchova said of the WTA Finals. “I’m just focusing on myself here.” 

Muchova, who will face Liudmila Samsonova in the third round, was a part of the Czechian Billie Jean King Cup team that went undefeated last week to claim a 12th title in 13 Billie Jean King Cup final appearances.

“Expectations were high on us, and we felt it but I’m really glad that we managed to win,” Muchova said. “It’s always nicer to do things as a group.” 

Muchova is having the best year of her career, getting to a career high No. 6 in the world after winning her first WTA 1000 title in Doha and following it up with a run to the Wimbledon final. She lost to her compatriot Linda Noskova in a three-set battle.  

“I haven’t won many matches since Wimbledon,” Muchova said. “I just want to build toward that and get back into that zone.” 

Muchova is now 2-0 in the head-to-head against Boulter, defeating her 6-1, 6-0 in their match at the U.S. Open last month. 

“I expected a tough fight today,” Muchova said. “I thought it really wasn’t her day in New York.” 

Boulter showed fight early, breaking Muchova’s serve to go up 3-1, before getting broken herself soon after. Boulter fought off more pressure on her serve to make it to a first set tiebreaker.  

The two players split the first six points, before Muchova hit a spinning-pickup-dropshot-volley to stun the crowd and take advantage of the breaker. 

“She hit it quite well on my feet, and I feel like that was the only way to pick it up,” Muchova said. “I’m happy that I managed to hit that shot.” 

Muchova sealed the first set with an ace.  

The Czech flew through the second set, only losing five points in her second-set service games. It was all but over when Muchova fired an inside-out forehand winner to secure a second break and go up 5-1, bringing more cheers from the adoring Chinese fans. 

“It’s so nice to get such support here in China,” Muchova said.  

By Ellis von Fintel