Nina Chausow
AS every expat’s eyes turn towards Andy Murray, who faces Roger Federer in the Wimbledon semifinals, a lone Spaniard, Garbine Muguruza Blanco, has fought her way into the women’s final.
Set to play the formidable Serena Williams, Muguruza is a 21-year-old Spanish-Venezuelan player ranked 19th in the world.
Although she has had success playing doubles, reaching the semifinals of the 2014 French Open with her partner Carla Suárez Navarro, she had never made it past the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam tournament playing singles.
To reach the finals, Muguruza defeated Caroline Wozniaki, Agnieszka Radwanska, Angelique Kerber and Timea Bacsinszky.
Muguruza previously defeated Williams during the 2014 French Open in the second round.
She currently lives and trains in Barcelona, after spending her childhood in Venezuela.
If Muguruza wins, she would be the first Spanish player to win Wimbledon since Conchita Martínez in 1994, and the third Spanish woman to win a Grand Slam title.
