Rio 2016: Monica Puig on beating Garbine Muguruza

Omnisports

August 9, 2016 8:06 AM

Rio 2016: Just three matches lie between Monica Puig and Olympic gold, but she already feels she has shown the world she belongs on the big stage.

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Monica Puig believes she has "arrived" after thrashing Garbine Muguruza 6-1 6-1 to reach the quarter-finals of the Rio 2016 women's singles.

The Puerto Rican won 22 of a possible 32 points on her first serve and converted six of eight break points in a dominant display against the French Open champion.

Puig, ranked 34th in the world, took just 64 minutes to complete the triumph, and she believes her performance showed she belongs at the highest level.

"I already know where I want to get to and I'm letting the world know that I've arrived," said the 22-year-old, who has just one WTA title to her name.

"It was about time. I've always been there, but I couldn't sustain my level and right now I'm doing it.

"I'm at a very, very good moment so I want a medal and I'll do whatever I can to reach that goal.

"I still have goosebumps. You're just trying to keep it together all the time because you know in that last game, especially serving to consolidate the second break, you're so close to winning you start getting emotional."

Having secured what she considers to be her greatest triumph, Puig will face Laura Siegemund for a place in the semi-finals.

"I think it's the biggest [win] for me [and] one of the most special because it's the Olympics. So I'm just really proud of the way I've been carrying myself in these Olympics," she added.

"It could be a little hard sometimes - you get carried away with where you are and this experience. I'm just happy with how I've been able to keep focus this week."

Omnisports

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