Cincinnati Masters: Caroline Garcia on rising from qualifiers to beat Aryna Sabalenka in semis – No one anticipated it

Cincinnati Masters: France’s Caroline Garcia performed the qualifying spherical and has now certified for the ultimate of the hard-court event.

No one anticipated it: Garcia on rising from qualifiers to beat Sabalenka in Cincinnati semis. Courtesy: AP

HIGHLIGHTSCaroline Garcia defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-2, 4-6, 6-1Caroline Garcia broke Sabalenka’s serve six occasionsCaroline Garcia will now face Czech Republic’s Petra Kvitová within the ultimate

World No.35 Caroline Garcia stated that only a few individuals gave her an opportunity to advance to the ultimate of the Cincinnati Masters. Earlier, the 28-year-old had to participate within the qualifiers and now she is going to participate within the ultimate of the hard-court event.

On Sunday, August 21, Garcia defeated favorite Aryna Sabalenka 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 at Centre Court. Garcia was glorious together with her first serves and churned out 81 % of the factors from them.

The participant from France felt that she has travelled a great distance from participating within the qualifiers to now going through Czech Republic’s Petra Kvitová within the ultimate.

“I guess no one expected it, that’s for sure. It’s a long way to come from qualies,” Garcia was quoted as saying.

In the first set, Garcia put the pressure on her opponent through 13 winners, but Sabalenka came back brilliantly in the second. During this while, there was a rain interruption, which took away Garcia’s momentum to a large extent.

But Garcia found her rhythm back in the third set to come up trumps. With the victory, Garcia took her head-to-head with Sabalenka to 2-2.

“First, to be in the final of a 1000 event after so many years, and the scenario of today was just unbelievable. We had to stop a few times. We never know when we will come back. It was a long wait, and in the wait you never know what you are supposed to do, so it was tough,” she acknowledged.

“I’m very happy with the last preparation for the comeback at 3-1. I was really ready for every point. It made the difference,” Garcia added.

During the match, Garcia additionally broke Sabalenka’s function many as six occasions.

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