Caroline Garcia worked miracles a bit like the roof of the Philippe-Chatrier court which allowed the players to shelter from the raging flood, this Friday, October 2 in the afternoon, above Paris. To reach the round of 16 at Roland Garros, the Lyonnaise, 45th in the world, had to deal with her current form and a painful left knee against the Belgian Elise Mertens (20th).
After conceding the first set in 33 minutes (6-1) by multiplying unforced errors, Garcia, very nervous, straightened the bar in the second (6-4) before concluding (7-5) even managing to make himself occasionally raise a central court where the thousand spectators authorized on the site of the Porte d’Auteuil had found refuge. “Caro Caro” sounded and an ola was even formed, suggesting very beautiful and very warm atmospheres when the Covid-19 epidemic will be over and the 15,000 seats in the stadium will all be occupied.
Little assistance but great support
“In the end, there are not many of you but you make as much noise as when it’s full”, amused herself, at the microphone of Fabrice Santoro, Garcia in front of the meager assistance. Before admitting that the atmosphere had helped her in this indecisive meeting with many twists and turns. “The tension has come. There aren’t many of you but you really supported me so thank you very much, ”she told the audience.
Garcia even played on the nerves of his supporters by conceding his serve as the match stretched out his arms (5-4, serve to follow). Before reassuring everyone and winning on his sixth match point (1-6, 6-4, 7-5).
This qualification allows the French number two to match her performance in 2018 when she was eliminated in the round of 16 by the German Angelique Kerber (6-2, 6-3).
In the women’s table besides Garcia, all the hopes of French tennis rest on the shoulders of the young Clara Burel (19 years old) and her elder Fiona Ferro who will play this Saturday for a place in the 8th final.
Garcia will face for a place in the quarter-finals, the Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, (5th) who disposed of the Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova (31st) 6-4, 7-5.
