Muguruza clinches maiden WTA title in Hobart

Garbine Muguruza has claimed her maiden WTA Tour title after a straight sets win over Klara Zakopalova in the Hobart International final. The Spanish qualifier completed a stunning showing at the WTA International event with a 6-4 6-0 thrashing of Czech seventh seed Zakopalova on Saturday. Muguruza, the 20-year-old world number 58, lost just seven games through three qualifying matches before taking her form into the main draw. She lost just another 11 games on her way to the decider and proved too good for Zakopalova in a match that featured eight breaks of serve. The loss added to Zakopalova's poor reputation in WTA Tour finals, with her win-loss record now at 2-11 and her last title coming in September 2005. In a relatively even opening, scores were locked at 3-3 in the first set before Muguruza broke in the eighth game to go 5-3 up. But the Spaniard dropped serve to love, when looking to seal the set, only to break back in the next game and take the set. The second set was far simpler for Muguruza as she cruised with Zakopalova potentially having an eye on her doubles final later in the day. Zakopalova faces 17th seed Samantha Stosur, who she beat in the semi-finals in Tasmania, in the Australian Open first round. Muguruza will meet Estonian 24th seed Kaia Kanepi in the opening grand slam of the year.