Former world No.1 Garbine Muguruza has put aside a thigh injury to beat France’s Alize Cornet in straight sets in their Hopman Cup rubber in Perth.
Spain’s Muguruza, ranked 18th, left the court on Friday when leading 3-0 in the first set to receive treatment and returned eight minutes later with strapping high on her left thigh.
Cornet was clearly struggling too and, after losing the first set 6-1, also required treatment on her back.
The Spaniard looked set for an easy victory when she jumped to a 3-0 lead in the second set also, but Cornet managed to break back before finally losing 6-1 6-3.
Neither Spain nor France has qualified for Saturday night’s final.
Dual grand slam champion Muguruza is scheduled to complete her Australian Open preparations at the Sydney International, starting on Sunday, while Cornet is expected to be in action from Saturday at the Hobart International.