(Melbourne) Fourth seed Caroline Garcia was defeated 7-6 (3) 6-4 by Magda Linette to earn her place in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.
Taking part in a 30e major tournament, the 30-year-old Polish managed three breaks-one more than the French, who committed 33 unforced errors (Linette was limited to 14).
Garcia made the semifinals in New York last year.
Linette was very effective at net, scoring six times in nine runs.
In the first set, she erased losses of 3-0, 4-2 and 5-3.
Her next rival will be Karolina Pliskova, who beat Zhang Shuai 6-4, 6-0.
Linette is 45e at the WTA. Former queen of the circuit, Pliskova is now 31e.
Earlier on Monday, fifth seed Aryna Sabalenka defeated Belinda Bencic 7-5, 6-2, reaching the quarter-finals in Melbourne for the first time in her career.
Sabalenka remained in control after a first set that ended with a double fault from Bencic, 12e first in the series.
PHOTO LOREN ELLIOTT, REUTERS
Aryna Sabalenka
“I’m very happy with this victory against an incredible player,” said Sabalenka, who had four breaks.
Sabalenka said she worked hard to control her emotions during games.
“I realize that negative emotions aren’t going to help me on the pitch,” she said. You just have to stay strong and keep believing. »
Favored Iga Swiatek and No. 2 Ons Jabeur sidelined, third-seeded Jessica Pegula is the highest-ranked player still on the board.
Novak Djokovic will face Alex de Minaur in the evening.
Djokovic is looking for a 10e title at this tournament and a 22e won a Grand Slam.
He is one step away from Rafael Nadal’s record for major tournaments.