The Frenchwoman disposed of Aryna Sabalenka, 7th player in the world, in a match several times interrupted by the rain, Saturday in Ohio.
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She overcame all the events. Despite an ailing left arm and several interruptions due to rain, Caroline Garcia qualified for the WTA 1000 final in Cincinnati on Saturday August 20. The French defeated Aryna Sabalenka (6-2, 4-6, 6-1), continuing her idyllic career. Petra Kvitova, 28th player in the world, awaits her in the final on Sunday.
FINALEEEEEEEEE @CincyTennis @WTA #FlyWithCaro #cincytennis pic.twitter.com/RBDWCIAWuF
—Caroline Garcia (@CaroGarcia) August 21, 2022
35th in the WTA rankings, Garcia was not given favorite against the Belarusian, 7th in the world. But the Frenchwoman was stronger, as evidenced by a smoothly conducted first set (5 aces, 13 winning shots and 5 unforced errors). A 2:30 hiatus chilled Garcia in the second set, but she recovered in the third.
Even the return of the rain – 1h30 break when she was leading 3-1 – did not disturb her. “I’m very happy with the way I prepared for my return to the court, I was really ready for every point.”savored the interested party at a press conference.
Garcia largely dominated his opponent despite an ailing left forearm. She also played the last two sets with a bandage. “I don’t know what’s going on with my armshe conceded after the match. I’ll try to handle it as best I can, but I’m sure it will hold.”
Victorious of two tournaments in June and July, Garcia will now aim for a new title in WTA 1000. A performance that the French had not achieved for five years, when she had won the tournaments of Wuhan and Beijing. Whatever the outcome of the final against Kvitova, she will remain the first player from the qualifications to reach the final of a tournament of this scale.