Carolina Marín is unleashed: third final since her serious injury

After a tear of the cruciate ligament and the internal and external menisci, each victory gains a new dimension. After an injury of such magnitude, every final seems like an impossible prize. Carolina Marín already has three. The first, with a title, was at the European Championship in Madrid, 337 days after the dark physical mishap, and the second, with a cruel outcome, was at the French Open. The third came this Saturday at the Indonesian Masters: 21-15 and 21-14 against the Chinese Han Yue, at the mercy of an unleashed Carolina and who will face An Se-youngnumber two in the world ranking, to debut his record in 2023. “We are already in the final. Very, very happy with how I have fought each of the points. The truth is that it was an important game for me. Playing here in Indonesia and in this stadium is always amazing. With all the support behind me, I feel at home. Tomorrow we are going for that final!”, the Huelva native valued after the game. Little by little, she is rediscovering her routine: success.

The road is not being easy. At least, for someone used to always win. The phases towards the final goal, the 2024 Olympic Games, however, are being reached in due time. Not in a hurry, but they are security, parading instead of running. Laying the foundations of a new champion. In France, Carolina once again felt powerful against the Asian rivals, her best after being crowned for the sixth time in Europe; now, she wants to stay there, beyond the Old Continent. Han Yue knows it well. The Chinese, 11th in the world, surpassed the Spanish in October, in Denmark; at the French Open, however, just a week later, she has already met another player. Mentally, she was already over the Chinese wall; on the track, she proved it to him. Like this Saturday.

Two partials, a script

Very loose, with no hint of physical problems after some discomfort in recent days and with an aggressive game, Carolina made Yue go into a loop. Two partials, a script. In both, equality was maintained until 12-12, when the Olympic champion changed her racket for a hammer. Based on shots, an increasingly common hit in Huelva’s repertoire, and a lot of mobility near the net, Marín broke the tie with a 3-0 run in the first set and 5-0 in the second. Both would be final. The 23-year-old Chinese player, who has been in the top-20 since July last year, responded to the first rush by approaching 16-14; in the second round, however, he gave up for good, adding only two more points. He already knew his fate. Caroline, too. And she walks towards him.