DUBAI: Former world number one Garbine Muguruza was relieved to finally avoid tripping at the last hurdle and end her trophy drought on Saturday in Dubai, the Spaniard’s first WTA singles title in almost two years.

The 27-year-old Muguruza had last won a tournament at Monterrey, Mexico, in April, 2019. Since then she reached the title rounds at the 2020 Australian Open, Yarra Valley Classic in Melbourne in February and last week’s event in Doha.

“It means a lot, it’s never easy to win titles,” Muguruza told reporters after her 7-6 (8-6) 6-3 win over Czech Barbora Krejcikova.

“It doesn’t happen often, and I’m excited that it happened now, after a few finals that didn’t go my way. A nice relief to be able to hold a champion’s trophy and not the finalist’s trophy.”

The former world number one hit seven aces and saved seven of the nine break points she faced to beat Czech doubles specialist Krejcikova.

Overall, its Muguruza’s eighth career singles title, including two Grand Slam titles at Roland Garros in 2016 and Wimbledon in 2017.

“Definitely it helps the confidence having a trophy under your belt,” Muguruza said. “It’s a sign, a real proof that you’re playing well, that you’re doing the right things.

“But I’ve always been very determined in that way and believed in myself. I always believe every time I go out there that I’m one of the players that can get the trophy ... and I’ve always believed that in good moments and in bad moments.”

Krejcikova’s only previous singles final was a 2017 loss to Kiki Bertens in Nuremberg, Germany.

Published in Dawn, March 15th, 2021