It's not a Grand Slam title, of course, but the feat would still be significant.
At 28, Caroline Garcia qualified overnight from Sunday to Monday for the final of the Masters, this tournament which brings together the eight best players of the season, in Fort Worth, Texas.
Opposed to the Greek Sakkari in the semi-final, Garcia wandered on the court (6-3, 6-2) and will find the Belarusian Sabalenka in the final.
"I'm super happy, but I don't quite realize it," she explained after the meeting.
That's chained so quickly compared to Saturday, where everything could stop in the group stage (against the Russian Daria Kasatkina, editor's note).
I finally qualified in the snatch and I immediately had to plan for this semi-final.
It's true that not many of us have done that.
This is a very important additional step in my career, I am really very proud.
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Determination and pure joy 🤩💪🏻🦁🐝🎾🇺🇸
Finals at the @WTAFinals!
Determination and pure joy!
FINAL at the Masters 🤩💪🏻#FlyWithCaro
Swipe for the match point (quick one today 🙏🏻) @WTA @yonex_tennis pic.twitter.com/wqjdHKBQHo
— Caroline Garcia (@CaroGarcia) November 7, 2022
Very fit this summer, where she had notably reached the semi-finals of the US Open, the Frenchwoman had been more struggling for a few weeks, before finding a second wind in the United States this week and finding her attacking style. and determined.
“Today was a really great match for me, analyzes the Lyonnaise.
I was able to impose my style of play and it paid off from the start.
I also felt more relaxed compared to Saturday, very excited at the idea of playing this semi-final.
There was a lot of positive energy.
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The recent departure of her coach, Bertrand Perret, has in any case not affected Garcia on the court, she who is accompanied to the United States by her parents and benefits from the help of the Argentinian technician Juan Pablo Guzman, her coach l year.
“It was unexpected and therefore complicated to manage, judge Garcia.
But I tried to bounce back well.
I keep in mind all the good memories of this year, all that we were able to work together, because a lot of things are engraved in me, which come back to me during matches, training.
We had to accept the situation and focus on the present moment.
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Facing Sabalenka, Garcia could be the first Frenchwoman to win the Masters since Amélie Mauresmo.
It was 17 years ago, in 2005. What stress?
Not really, she concludes.
“When I enter a court I tell myself that I have everything to gain each time.
Sometimes you can lose matches, but I try to commit to getting them anyway.
I don't regret telling myself that I remained passive.
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