And suddenly, the forced landing.
“Flying Caro”, impressive since the start of the US Open, did not exist in the semi-finals on Thursday evening against Ons Jabeur.
Caught up by the pressure of a first at this level in a Grand Slam tournament and confused by the style of play of an opponent she has never beaten, Caroline Garcia lost in two short sets and barely over an hour of play (6-3, 6-1).
“Obviously I was tense, admitted the Frenchwoman after the meeting.
It went wrong, the start of the match was not in my favor.
One or two points where I frankly didn't go there, like still a lot of points afterwards.
The arm didn't pass as well and with my style of play, it made me miss my target sometimes.
She was good at reading what I was producing and my playing was less effective than usual.
»
.@Ons_Jabeur finding the angles!
📐#USOpen pic.twitter.com/yK3ndfSmMT
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 8, 2022
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The disappointment is there, up to the hopes raised by his extraordinary level of play developed since the start of the fortnight, and even since the start of the summer.
Winner of three tournaments, including the WTA 1000 in Cincinnati, Garcia appeared as a legitimate contender.
She can still console herself by telling herself that she never stopped fighting, irreproachable in her attitude despite the ineffectiveness of her blows.
"That's how I enjoy my passion"
“There is frustration, but today I went anyway, I produced my game even if it was horrible to take winning passings.
But a few years ago, I wouldn't have had that attitude, she observed.
My game, I assume it: when it works a little less well, it's a little less pretty to watch, but when it works, we've heard good things about it.
»
The Lyonnaise has clearly built a solid foundation for the future.
On Monday, she will be back in the world top 10 for the first time since 2018. At 28, she still has plenty of time to do great things, provided she does not go out of her way.
Her aggressive game, if served by a flawless physique and a steely mind, is the tennis she loves to play.
"That's how I get off on my passion," she insisted.
There is still plenty of room for improvement in many areas.
It's also a lot of enthusiasm for the future.
Not better, Caro.
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Tennis
U.S. Open
Caroline Garcia
Grand Slam