Caroline Garcia provided the decisive third point that qualifies France for the final phase of the Billie Jean King Cup after beating Briton Harriet Dart 6-1, 6-7 (10/12), 6-1, Saturday, in Coventry . Forced to beat the Netherlands in the play-off last year, after being eliminated by Italy in qualifying, France will find Switzerland and Australia, finalists last year, and nine other nations in November.
After a very trying Saturday, France had nevertheless turned into an ideal position by leading 2-0 against the British who know how to sublimate themselves in this competition, after having been semi-finalists last year. Garcia and Alize Cornet had to fight almost six hours in total to respectively 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).
The Briton gives up in three sets
More in the legs, Garcia, fifth in the world, grabbed her opponent by the throat, taking the opposing serve four times in the first set, even if she gave up hers once (6-1). During the second set, no break was made, even if the French kept a slight ascendancy.
Unfortunately, his first two double faults of the match and a little rush on two match points obtained, cost him the decisive game against a catchy Dart. In the third set, however, she resumed her march forward, breaking first and then again in the sixth game to conclude on her next engagement (6-1) in just under two hours.