Garbine Muguruza beats Angelique Kerber in WTA Finals

Garbine Muguruza was the scourge of Angelique Kerber once again as she made it two wins out of two in the WTA Finals to stay on course for the last four in Singapore.

Muguruza has experienced a rapid rise this year, surging to third in the world rankings and reaching her first grand slam final at Wimbledon - where she was beaten by Serena Williams.

The 22-year-old Spaniard also qualified for the WTA Finals for the first time and followed up her victory over Lucie Safarova by seeing off Kerber 6-4 6-4 on Wednesday to ensure she tops the White Group.

Kerber knew a victory would see her through to the semi-finals, but was unable to get the job done as she slumped to a fourth consecutive defeat to Muguruza.

The powerful Muguruza, who beat Kerber in the French Open and at Wimbledon, was brimming with confidence as she broke in the first game of the match and came to the net when given the opportunity in order to prevent lengthy rallies with the German.

Kerber showed how she has matched Williams' record of 53 Tour wins this year when she broke back to tie things up at 2-2, but Muguruza took that setback in her stride.

A composed Muguruza took advantage of a poor drop-shot from Kerber by racing in to dispatch a winner and secure a second break and lead 5-4, then served out the set after saving a break point.

Kerber expressed her frustration to her coach and was even more wound up when Muguruza broke to lead 3-2 in the second set courtesy of a backhand winner up the line.

World number seven Kerber hit back with a break of her own to level at 4-4, but was immediately on the back foot when the clinical Muguruza claimed another break and served out the match to put herself on the brink of the last four.