France’s Caroline Garcia has kept her hopes of reaching the semifinals of the WTA Finals alive after defeating Caroline Wozniacki 0-6, 6-3, 7-5, in Singapore.
The 24-year-old entered the match knowing that she had to win if she wants to have a chance of staying in the tournament. Earlier this week she lost to Simona Halep before defeating Elina Svitolina in the round-robin tournament. In contrast, former world No.1 Wozniacki knew that she has already qualified for Saturday’s semifinals. Dropping just four games in her two previous matches.
“This year a lot of things have happened. Recently a lot of positive things and I really enjoy every minute I play on court.” Garcia told BT Sport after her win. “Even if the first set was very difficult for me, I tried to improve and find my rhythm. To take more experience from this kind of match.”
It appeared as if another one-sided victory was on the cards for the Dane as she raced through the opening set, winning 24 out of the 31 points played. Garcia was tentative in her play to start with as a series of errors came off her racket. The Frenchwoman was going for the right shots, but didn’t execute them well enough. Allowing the more dominant Wozniacki to seal the bagel set.
“She was playing really good. She was reading my game very well. I was going of for a little bit too much.” Garcia admitted about her start to the match.
Garcia, who recently won back-to-back titles in Wuhan and Beijing, managed to bounce back in the second set. Increasing the aggression of her play and pushing the ball deeper into Wozniacki’s side of the court. The change-up gifted her a break for 3-2 after a Wozniacki backhand slammed into the net. The change in momentum continued with Wozniacki being bossed around the court, allowing the world No.8 to seal the double break and eventually the second set.
Rattled, but not deterred by the comeback of her rival, Wozniacki kept on pushing. A break separated the two women early in the decider. Wozniacki’s brick wall defence drew four consecutive errors during one of Garcia’s service games. Enabling her to break for a 2-1 lead. The Dance then had the chance to serve the match out at 5-4, but failed to do so after a resilient Garcia broke back to level. Drawing a huge roar from the Singapore crowd.
The tense encounter between the two saw opportunities come and go for both. Garcia rallied back from 0-40 behind to hold serve and move ahead 6-5, one game from victory. Continuously applying the pressure, she completed the turnaround on her second match point opportunity after a Wozniacki forehand drifted beyond the baseline.
“I found the intensity with my legs and it got better and better. I just tried to play aggressive and find a good tactic.” Said the world No.8.
Garcia’s future in Singapore now lies in the hands of Svitolina. If the Ukrainian defeats Halep in her match, Garcia will progress to the last four.
“I did the best I could. I cannot do more now and I got my two wins (in the group). It’s a great experience for me and if I come back tomorrow it’s even better,” she concluded.
