“It was a big battle” – Garcia outs Fernandez in third-set tiebreak at Wimbledon

Caroline Garcia edged out Leylah Fernandez 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (6) on Thursday and will play No 32 seed Marie Bouzkova in the next round

Caroline Garcia – (c) Antoine Couvercelle / Panoramic

Bren Gray

July 6, 2023

Wimbledon •Second round • completed

See draw

L. FernandezvsC. Garcia

Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia, the No 5 seed, edged out Canadian Leylah Fernandez 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (6) to advance to the third round of Wimbledon at the All England Club in London on Thursday.

The Frenchwoman improved to 3-0 against Fernandez in 2023, with wins over her at the Australian Open, Indian Wells and now Wimbledon. 29-year-old Garcia is into the third round at Wimbledon for the fourth time, and improves to 16-5 on grass since the start of 2022 (43-22 lifetime).

Garcia reflects on tough victory

Following her victory, Garcia has explained how mentally taxing the match was for her.

“I had some tough matches already since the beginning of the year. It’s not easy every day, and I’m trying the best I can.”

The Frenchwomen went on to describe her mindset when push came to shove in the final set tiebreak:

“At 6-all in the third I was like ‘OK, it’s your turn, try to be aggressive, go forward and have no regrets – give 100 percent.'”

A win that meant a lot to @CaroGarcia 🙏#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/U4IxTNyuYX
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 6, 2023

Garcia victorious despite lack of flow in second round

There’s more to come from Caroline Garcia this Wimbledon, if her reflections on her second round win are to be believed.

“I would not say I found my rhythm,” explained Garcia. “I mean, I just won 7-6 in the third. I could be crying probably under the shower right now. That mean how close it was.”

“But obviously, I mean, I play aggressive game, so may look like grass court should suits more that kind of player. I try to use my rhythm, my timing. And with the time and the year of experience, I find I just meant a little bit better.

“It’s also, when you come on grass court, you have one month of a new chapter, a new season. Doesn’t really matter how you played before. Grass court is starting. Doesn’t really matter how you played. It’s hard court afterwards. So just try to be in that mindset.”

Flying High ✈️

The No.5 seed @CaroGarcia survives against Leylah Fernandez 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(6) to book her ticket to the third round 🎟️#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/Wd1dA1NEQU
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 6, 2023