Exploit in Cincinnati: Caroline Garcia, 35th in the world, became the first player in history to win a WTA 1000 from qualifying, beating Czech Petra Kvitova (28th) 6-2, 6-4.
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The Frenchwoman offers herself at 28 a third coronation in a tournament of this category, just below the Grand Slams, in as many finals disputed, after her triumphs in Wuhan and Beijing in 2017.
“What an amazing week. It’s hard to believe that I’m here in front of you,” reacted Garcia with a smile, lifting the trophy.
This tenth trophy in total and also her third in two months, after those raised in Bad Homburg and Warsaw, where she had offered the scalp of the world number 1 Iga Swiatek.
In fact, she asserts herself, eight days before the US Open (August 29-September 11) as the in-form player of the summer, since she has accumulated 26 victories since June. No one is currently doing better on the circuit.
Faced with Kvitova, former world No.2, twice winner at Wimbledon (2011, 2014), who was playing her 12th final of a Masters 1000 (eight coronations), Garcia, in no way paralyzed by the challenge, remained faithful to her sharp style.
The experience of major meetings, however, pleaded for Kvitova, who was aiming for a 30th title in 40 finals, and whose qualities in defense and against constitute a real respondent.
But the Frenchwoman, who now has four victories in their nine confrontations, was able to overwhelm her, showing an almost permanent aggressiveness.
She attacked the match very hard by breaking twice (4-0) under a threatening sky. The day before, two interruptions by rain of 2:30 and 1:30 had greatly disrupted her semi-final against Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka.
Troublemaker at the US Open?
In total confidence, she kept this advantage by relying on a solid serve (11 aces in total), to win the first set.
In the process, Garcia tightened the noose again, with his long returns. Kvitova chained unforced errors.
Led 2-0, the Czech, who seemed to be dragging her leg, requested medical time to treat her left knee. Back on the court, she demonstrated her pugnacity, creating a break point, her fifth of the match, without more success at the end.
Three others showed up, but Garcia knew how to serve and defend well during a long rally, to push her rival to the fault again (4-2).
Kvitova’s scream of rage did nothing, she fell on stronger, her rival remaining solid on her commitment to finish the job.
With this convincing performance, Garcia can hope to play the spoilsports at the US Open, where she has never been able to do better than a 3rd round, but which she will approach in the shoes of a top seed, in jumping up the rankings.
Just like Kvitova, who has never spent quarters at Flushing Meadows. Even losing in Ohio, she confirms a return to the fore seen in mid-June with her victory on the grass of Eastbourne, a few years having seemed to mark a decline.
In a context where the world number 1 Iga Swiatek seems to be marking time, after a dizzying spring (37 victories in a row, titled in Doha, Indian Wells, Miami, Stuttgart, Rome and Roland-Garros), they have a nice shot at to play.