Muguruza starts WTA finals with win over Safarova

The Spaniard, who has rapidly risen up the rankings in 2015 after losing the Wimbledon final to world number one Serena Williams, won 6-3 7-6 (7-4) in Singapore on Monday.

Muguruza, the second seed overall and the top seed in the White Group, hit 10 aces and 29 winners on her way to victory over the Czech.

Safarova had won the only previous meeting between the pair in this year's French Open quarter-finals, but found her serve consistently pressured by Muguruza.

Indeed, Safarova faced 15 break points in the match and it did not take long for Muguruza to win one, going 2-1 up in the first set with a searing backhand return that the world number nine could only send into the net.

And Muguruza wrapped up the set with a second break in the ninth game of the set as Safarova fired a forehand long.

Safarova responded well by breaking in the first game of the second, only for Muguruza to hit back to level matters at 3-3.

Despite Muguruza's best efforts, Safarova was able to stand firm and force a tie-break.

But Muguruza's quality told in the decider, which she wrapped up to seal victory as Safarova netted a forehand.