French Caroline Garcia, 7th in the world and semi-finalist last year, was eliminated in the first round of the US Open on Tuesday by Chinese Yafan Wang (114th, qualifying) 6-4, 6-1 in 1h10 .
Her premature defeat is a blow for the French clan of which she was the best chance. On paper at least, because since the start of the season, the 29-year-old Lyonnaise has not been able to regain the level of last year.
After an explosive American summer in 2022 (title at the WTA 1000 in Cincinnati then half at Flushing Meadows, her first Grand Slam), she had won the Masters at the end of the year in Fort Worth (Texas) and had risen to 4th place in the world. .
Sixth double fault
On Tuesday, Garcia committed too many unforced errors (34) to worry her opponent to whom she offered the match on a sixth double fault.
Wang, who has lost twice in the second round in three appearances in New York, will face Briton Katie Boulter (61st) on Thursday to try to advance to the third round, which would be her best Grand Slam result.
The French N.1 ends her Grand Slam season with her worst result, in the Major where she had nevertheless achieved her best performance last year.
In 2023, Garcia lost in the round of 16 at the Australian Open, in the second round at Roland-Garros and in the third at Wimbledon.