qualified in eighth, Caroline Garcia last tricolor in the running – Liberation

Caroline Garcia was scared against the German Laura Siegemund but will wear the colors of France alone in the round of 16 of the Australian Open after the eliminations of Benjamin Bonzi and Ugo Humbert on Saturday in Melbourne.

Led 6-1 after 34 minutes, Garcia managed not to panic to turn around a damn bad situation against the 158th in the world, winning 1-6, 6-3, 6-3. Unable in the first set to set up her game (4 winning strokes, 16 unforced errors) against an opponent who succeeded in everything, the 4th player in the world had to wait for the second set to regain efficiency in the service and thus rebalance the debates. “I didn’t play very well, but I’m very happy with the way I fought”commented the 29-year-old Lyonnaise.

Facing Linette on Monday

She will face Poland’s Magda Linette (45th) in the round of 16 of the Australian Major on Monday, which she will reach for only the second time after 2018. She will also be the only French representative at this stage out of the 19 competing in the main draws. Because Benjamin Bonzi (48th) and Ugo Humbert (106th), the last Blues in the men’s table, were clearly dominated on Saturday.

Bonzi, who was playing a Grand Slam third round for the first time in his career at 26, was beaten by Alex De Minaur (24th) 7-6 (7 / 0), 6-2, 6-1 on the big short Rod Laver. “For a first, it was fun to play, even if there is no score in the end”he commented.

Humbert was logically beaten by Holger Rune (10th) 6-4, 6-2, 7-6 (7/5). “What annoys me the most is that I haven’t tried to change anything, I haven’t tried to do more things, even if it means trying to put only winners (blows winners, editor’s note) for two games to try to free me”regretted the Messin.