Muguruza dumped out in Shenzhen Open semi-finals

Two-time Grand Slam champion Garbine Muguruza crashed out of the Shenzhen Open semi-finals on Friday with a straight-sets loss to Ekaterina Alexandrova. Alexandrova, the Russian fifth seed, won 6-4, 6-3 to set up a final with seventh seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan or unseeded Czech Kristyna Pliskova. Spain's Muguruza, 26, endured a poor 2019 but showed signs in southern China of rediscovering the form that made her world number one in 2017.

READ | Serena Williams Donates Signed Dress To Australian Bushfire Appeal

READ | Naomi Osaka Finds Daniil Medvedev ‘interesting’, He Says 'not Sure'

However, with the Australian Open looming large, the sixth seed was comfortably beaten by the 25-year-old Alexandrova in 77 minutes. The powerful Russian is now just one victory away from her first WTA title. "It was a tough match right from the start," said Alexandrova. "I was calmer than yesterday and that helped a lot." 

READ | Kvitova, Keys Into Brisbane International Semifinals

READ | Williams And Wozniacki Reach Auckland Semifinals