Garcia goes all the way to Cincinnati final with win over Sabalenka

Caroline Garcia is through to the Western & Southern Open final after taking down Aryna Sabalenka 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 in two hours seven minutes at the Lindner Tennis Family Center in Cincinnati on Saturday evening.

Garcia withstood several rain delays that pushed the match back from early afternoon until the evening. The last interruption came with the Frenchwoman clinching to a 3-1 lead in the deciding set, having just broken the Belarusian at 2-1. Garcia showed no nerves upon returning, as she pocketed the next three games to clinch victory.

 “It feels great — first to be in the final of 1000 event after so many years, and the scenario of today was just like unbelievable,” Garcia reflected. We had to stop few times. We never know when we will come back. It was long wait, and in the wait you never know what you are supposed to do. So it was tough. 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.”

Amazing run sends Garcia into final against Kvitova

It has been un unbelievable week for Garcia, who had to qualify just to get into the Cincinnati mean draw. She did so successfully and then — prior to Saturday’s success — defeated Petra Martic 6-3, 6-3, Maria Sakkari 7-6(2), 6-7(6), 6-1, Elise Mertens 6-4, 7-5, and Jessica Pegula 6-1, 7-5.

I guess no one expected it, that’s for sure.

Caroline Garcia

“I guess no one expected it, that’s for sure,” the world No 35 added. “It’s a long way to come from qualies. I was not too far out of main draw. I asked for a wild card…didn’t get it…. Yeah, it’s one match at a time. [I tried] to take the best from every single match, really improve through the tournament. Yeah, I mean, feels like I have been here for a long time, I have to admit. I know the site pretty well now, but I kind of enjoy it and it’s really nice to be in the final again.”

Garcia will face Czech left-hander Petra Kvitova in Sunday’s championship match.

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