
Caroline Garcia (zimbio.com)
Caroline Garcia has boosted her chances of playing in the upcoming WTA Finals following a 6-3, 7-5, win over Petra Kvitova at the China Open.
The French world No.15 headed into the clash seeking revenge after falling in straight sets to Kvitova at the US Open earlier this year. Unlike their New York meeting, Garcia was the more confident and aggressive player. Dictating the rallies and moving her opponent around the court with ease.
“It was definitely very tight. Like in the first set, every game was very important. She was serving first, so I was down every single time,” Garcia said, according to wtatennis.com.
“But I know against these kind of players, you have to be focused on your serve, try to be the most aggressive and put the pressure on the return when you have the chance. Sometimes you will get aces or serve winner. You just have to keep trying.”
Kvitova’s problem in Beijing wasn’t just Garcia, who won the Wuhan Open last week. It was also her ability to play consistently. A nightmare start to the match by the two-time Wimbledon champion allowed Garcia to stroll to a 4-0 lead. Hitting a series of double faults, Kvitova only managed to win one out of her first eight points on serve.
As the match progressed, Garcia started to encounter the resistance that many anticipated. Despite dropping one of her breaks, the early damage enabled her clinch the opening set with ease. Hitting an ace out wide to seal the 6-3 lead.
Following the rocky start, set two saw a much closer encounter between the two. There was a lot at stake for both players with Garcia aiming to break the top 10 for the first time with this win and Kvitova seeking to make her 27th WTA final.
Trading breaks, it was once again Kvitova’s unreliable serving that resulted in her downfall. With Garcia leading 6-3, 5-5, a nightmare service game from the Czech destroyed her hopes of winning. Three double faults combined with as backhand error gifted Garcia the chance to serve for a place in the final. It was an opportunity the Frenchwoman seized without hesitation as she converted her first match point with the help of a serve down the line.
23-year-old Garcia, who is on a 10-match winning streak, will now break into the world’s top 10 for the first time on Monday. She also remains in contention of securing the final spot into the WTA Finals in Singapore later this month. Garcia will now be at least 165 points behind Johanna Konta in the race and could surpass her is she wins the title on Sunday.
“I know it’s not all in my hand for Singapore,” Garcia explained in her post-match press conference. “I don’t really want to be focused on it. It’s still a long way, so I just try to be on court, enjoy every minute, walk out, try to improve, and I will see how it goes.”
Newly crowned world No.1 Simona Halep awaits Garcia in the final. Halep booked her spot with a clinical 6-2, 6-4, win over French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko.
“I know both of them. I know that they are very strong opponents,” Halep told reporters about playing either Garcia or Kvitova. “They hit very strong the balls. They stay close to the lines.”
Garcia trails 2-0 in her head-to-head with Halep.
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