Last year’s WTA Finals champion Caroline Garcia fought back from one set down to beat Laura Siegemund 1-6 6-3 6-3 after 2 hours and 10 minutes reaching the fourth round at the Australian Open for the second time in her career.
Siegemund broke Garcia in the fourth game of the first set and held serve to race out to a 4-1 lead. The German player converted her fourth break point in the sixth game before serving out the first set in 34 minutes.
Garcia turned around the match by breaking serve in the sixth game to take a 4-2 lead and held her next two service games to win the second set 6-3 after 1 hour and 15 minutes forcing the match to the decider.
Garcia earned an immediate break in the first game of the third set to take a 1-0 lead. Siegemund broke straight back to draw level to 1-1. Garcia faced a break point, as she was serving at 4-3 in the third set, but she fired her sixth ace to save it.
Siegemund fended off two match points at 5-3 15-40, but Garcia earned a third match point and sealed the win with a forehand return.
Garcia will face either Ekaterina Alexandrova or Magda Linette in the fourth round and a potential quarter final clash against Karolina Pliskova.
“It was a crazy battle. I did not play great tennis, but I am happy with the way I fought. Today with what I was capable of doing, the atmosphere was pretty unbelievable. It was a very good fight. Laura played some good tennis in the in the first two rounds and today as well. I am pleased to be through to the second week. I was on the edge. Then I remember telling myself it’s the Australian Open third round and I have a shot to go to the second round. At least I have to try, even if I play badly”, said Garcia.