Garcia Joins Muchova in Second Round at Cincinnati

Caroline Garcia made her return to competition this Friday at the WTA 1000 in Cincinnati.

The Frenchwoman, whose retirement is fast approaching (the US Open could be her final tournament), received a wildcard for the main draw in Ohio, having won the event three years ago.

Facing Sonay Kartal in her opening match, Garcia got off to an ideal start with an early break. However, the British player gradually raised her level to even the score before clinching the first set 7-5.

With her back against the wall, Garcia secured a break in the second set but gave it back while serving for the set at 5-3. Nevertheless, she didn’t give up and, thanks to another break—her second of the set—she leveled the match at one set apiece.

Far more aggressive and tactically superior, the Lyon native ultimately made the difference in the final set by breaking Kartal’s serve at 2-1.

She then surged ahead to seal the match 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 in 2 hours and 36 minutes. A hard-fought victory that sets up a second-round clash with Karolina Muchova. This also marks her first win on the main tour since the WTA 1000 in Miami back in March.