Muguruza beats Pennetta at Tournament of Champions (Yahoo Sports)

Garbine Muguruza moved a step closer to the semifinals by beating favorite Flavia Pennetta of Italy 0-6, 6-1, 6-1 in the group stage at the season-ending WTA Tournament of Champions on Thursday. ”I went to the court really nervous,” Muguruza said adding that she had picked ”the wrong strategy” against Pennetta. ”I had to change something, and then my coach gave me some advice that worked.” Muguruza will wrap up her round robin schedule on Friday against Alize Cornet of France who stayed alive in her bid for a semifinal spot by defeating top-seeded Ekaterina Makarova of Russia 6-1, 6-4. ”I tried my best tennis, but it is not possible for me to play at my highest level right now.” The No. 11 in the WTA ranking lost her opening game on Wednesday in staright sets to Garbine Muguruza.