In a tight duel as possible, the Ontarian Bianca Andreescu admitted defeat in three sets of 7-6 (5), 4-6 and 4-6 against the French Caroline Garcia in the final of the Bad Homburg tournament on Saturday morning.
Posted at 10:31 a.m.
The two former fourth rackets in the world, who had never faced each other before, were looking to get their hands on a first title since 2019.
The first run, which went to the limit, stretched out over an hour. The two athletes first exchanged a shutout, before Garcia took a 3-1 lead against an Andreescu who was struggling to counter her opponent’s attacks.
Except that the Canadian has seen others. She immediately managed a break of service in turn, before seizing the next game to make it 3-3.
Every time she found herself in hot water, Andreescu got up under the pressure and came from behind. Like when Garcia was leading 4-3 and had to save two break points to tie the game again, 4-4, in the first set.
Both players made it to the tiebreaker. It was ultimately Andreescu who had the upper hand, winning 71% of her first serves in this round. Expressive, she clenched her fists at each of her points.
In the second set, the 22-year-old Ontarian was leading 4-2 when Garcia completely exploded. The Frenchwoman won 16 of the next 17 points to force a third set. Third set which was like the previous one, that is to say that Andreescu started well by seizing the first two games, before losing the next four…
PHOTO THOMAS FREY, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
Caroline Garcia
She did try to get back into the match, but on the other side of the field stood a confident Garcia, who was playing her 11e career final. The latter finally had the upper hand 6-4 in the third set.
Remember that Andreescu got his ticket to the final by default; she was scheduled to face Simona Halep in the semi-finals, but the latter withdrew due to a neck injury.
Before the final match, the Canadian had not bowed in any set since the start of the tournament. We thought she would win her fourth career individual victory. But that will have to wait.
Next stop: Wimbledon.
More details to come.