Forced to beat the Netherlands in the play-off last year, after being eliminated by Italy in qualifying, France will meet Switzerland and Australia, last year's finalists, and nine other nations in November.
After a very trying Saturday, the France had still turned into an ideal position by leading 2-0 against the British who know how to sublimate in this competition, after being semi-finalists last year.
Garcia and Alizé Cornet had to fight nearly six hours in total to dominate Katie Boulter 6-7 (2/7), 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/2) and Dart 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/3) respectively.
More in legs, Garcia, 5th in the world, took her opponent by the throat, taking the opponent's serve four times in the first set, even if she abandoned hers once (6-1).
In the second set, no break was made, even if the Frenchwoman kept a slight ascendant.
Unfortunately, his first two double faults of the match and a little rush on two match balls obtained, cost him the decisive game against an eye-catching Dart.
In the third set, however, she resumed her march forward, breaking at the start and then again in the 6th game to conclude her next engagement (6-1) in just under two hours.
© 2023 AFP