It was long (2h25), sometimes messy, rarely mastered, but Caroline Garcia finally had the last word. Opposed to Ana Bogdan (59th in the WTA), whom she had beaten easily during their first two meetings, the 4th in the world had to whip to win 6-4, 3-6, 7-5, for her entry into competing in the WTA 1000 in Rome. The greatest merit of the French was to grit her teeth and find a great quality of return at the end of the third set, where the Romanian served to win the game at 5-3.
A tough end to the game
Garcia complicated the task by stalling net as she led 6-4, 1-0 break. Of the 21 points that followed, she only won five… This huge air pocket cost her two breaks. Projected in the lead 4-1, Bogdan increased his pressure and equalized at a set all.
The last set was just as difficult for the Lyonnaise, who alternated blows and unforced errors. It was thus led 2-1, break, then 5-3. Before recovering in extremis by chaining laser returns. The blow had come very close. In the third round, Garcia will face Colombian Camila Osorio (100th in the world), victorious over Petra Martic (28th), 6-4, 6-2.