Muguruza soars by Kuznetsova in first-round match of former champions

PARIS—When it comes to clay-court tennis, what’s a drop of rain? Nothing. An increasing sprinkle? Forget about it. Or even a steady stream? Play on.

Such was the situation this morning at Roland Garros, where for 60 compelling minutes and ten games of tug-and-war tennis, I simultaneously held an umbrella over my head, took notes and absorbed an intriguing first-round match between two past Roland Garros champions, Garbine Muguruza (2016) and Svetlana Kuznetsova (2009).

It was just 11 a.m. when Muguruza and Kuznetsova entered the court technically called Court 1 but is more informally known as “The Bullring.” Given that each of these two have strong connections to Spain—though neither was born there—the matador-like setting felt appropriate. This is one of the great stadiums in tennis, an enchanting circle that holds 3,802 and lets every spectator feel deeply connected to the proceedings.

After losing to Kuznetsova at their first meeting, in Madrid in 2015, Muguruza had won the last five, including a 6-3, 6-4 victory on her way to the title in 2016.

When Muguruza is in form, she conjures up images of an F-15 Eagle—a sharp, angular, commanding jet that can soar through the sky. Her game has a cumulative and concussive quality, forehand and backhand struck profoundly flat and deep. Let the topspinners curl the ball off the court. Muguruza instead wields a north-south hammer.

WATCH: Muguruza's match point against Kuznetsova on Day 3

But even as Muguruza took the first two games of the match and held a point for a second break (which she lost), it was hard to believe the excessive dampness would permit a runaway, especially against an opponent as seasoned and skilled as Kuznetsova.

“She has a good technique, good vision of the game,” Muguruza said of the Kuznetsova. “She's very experienced. We played so many times, and it's always very difficult.”

Born in Russia and sharpened in Spain at the Sanchez-Casal Academy in Barcelona, Kuznetsova is yet another example of why tennis transcends borders. With the exception of the long-retired Nadia Petrova, Kuznetsova has been the most versatile of the Russians, her all-court game far broader than such compatriots as Elena Dementieva, Vera Zvonareva and Dinara Safina. She has also proven sturdier. At the age of 32, Kuznetsova finished 2017 ranked in the Top 15 for the seventh time—darn good longevity for someone who’d won the 2004 US Open as a teenager. But Kuznetsova’s 2018 has been tough. A wrist operation, the first surgery of her career, had taken her out for the first two months of the year. Her ranking sank to No. 43.

But when it comes to Grand Slam events, Kuznetsova admitted, “I have no problems with motivation.”

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Fighting off another break point at 1-3 in the first set, Kuznetsova plugged away. In several rallies, as Muguruza pounded away at her opponent's forehand, Kuznetsova replied with chopped forehands—the so-called “squash shot” that takes advantage of many an opponent’s inability to move forward to volley. Add to that a few deft backhand drop shots and throughout the first set, Kuznetsova hung on by her fingernails. Serving for the first set at 5-4, Muguruza misfired in several rallies and was broken at 15.

But at 5-all, the match was suspended. An hour later it resumed, the sky less gray, only a raindrop here and another there. Spectators permanently folded up their umbrellas.

By the time it reached 6-all, it had all been rather claustrophobic, annoyingly so for the airborne Muguruza, pleasingly for the ground-based Kuznetsova.

Said Kuznetsova, “You never know if she can be at her best.”

Said Muguruza, “Tiebreaks are always difficult.”

Not this one. Aided by the dryer conditions, lighter balls and thinner air, the Jet Age had arrived, Muguruza flying right over Kuznetsova, 7-0.

In the second set, with Kuznetsova serving at 1-2, Muguruza broke serve and soon snapped up the set, 6-2. Two numbers revealed how much Muguruza had dictated play: 27 winners, to but nine for Kuznetsova.

“I had many chances to comeback,” said Kuznetsova. “She was too confident today.”

“I feel very encouraged by this match,” said Muguruza.

The 24-year-old Muguruza’s arsenal has taken her far. But the fuel-burning qualities of such a playing style demand a sustained combination of confidence and concentration. This remains an area of development for Muguruza. But having faced early turbulence today before reaching the desired altitude, Muguruza can surely stay aloft at the majors for many years to come. Fasten your seatbelts.

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