We wondered how she would digest her coronation in Cincinnati, the eight victories in nine days and the new media interest as much as the external expectations which have sometimes cut her legs in the past. In New York, Caroline Garcia seems to put up with it with disconcerting ease. On Wednesday, the French cut Anna Kalinskaya (6-3, 6-1) and reached the third round of the US Open without having dropped a single set en route.
Already entering very strongly in her first round against Kamilla Rakhimova (6-2, 6-4) on Monday, the 17th in the world did it again against the 23-year-old Russian, overwhelmed from the first strokes of the racket. Carried by a devastating service (85% of points won behind her first ball), which she has not yet lost a single time in Flushing, and an almost perfect net game (10/12), Garcia was able, as as usual, take a lot of risk on the way back.
Garcia in demonstration
There was sometimes waste, it’s part of her philosophy, but the Lyonnaise, who immediately took the lead (3-0), insisted and beat Kalinskaya who won only five tiny points behind her second services (29%). The 60th in the world won the first game of the second round before disappearing, unable to compete in power and sorely lacking variations in her game to get her opponent out of her comfort zone.
0
Caroline Garcia has not conceded a single break point since the start of the fortnight.
Stronger in all areas of the game, Garcia finished the game in 1h02. In the third round on Friday, she will challenge Canadian Bianca Andreescu or Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia. At stake, a place in the round of 16 of the US Open, the only Grand Slam where she has never reached the second week.