Spain’s Muguruza advances to first WTA Tour final

Spanish qualifier Garbiñe Muguruza continued her strong play at the Hobart International, an Australian Open tuneup event, trouncing countrywoman Estrella Cabeza Candela 60, 61 Friday to advance to her first WTA Tour final.

Playing in only her second tournament since sustaining a seasonending ankle injury last summer, the 20yearold Muguruza has lost just 18 games in seven qualifying and main draw matches in Hobart, capital of the Australian island state of Tasmania.

In Thursday’s semifinals, she defeated Belgium’s Kirsten Flipkens, a 2013 Wimbledon semifinalist, 64, 63.

The 58thranked Spaniard will next take on seventhseeded Czech Klara Zakopalova, a 63, 62 upset winner over top seed and homecrowd favorite Samantha Stosur, for the title.

The Hobart International is a warmup event for the Australian Open, which gets underway next week.