Caroline Garcia got the better of the German Tatjana Maria in 3 sets (3-6 7-5 6-2) to secure a spot in the semifinals of the Open, as she did in 2012.
Caroline Garcia faced a player with a varied game today, mastering a wide range of shots. The German Tatjana Maria indeed gave her a hard time. It took a set for Caroline Garcia to adapt, struggling with her numerous net approaches, before finally finding the tactical solutions to take control of the match. The first set quickly went against her (6-1), but she then figured out the German at the very end of a tight 2nd set, capitalizing on her first set point (7-5). Riding the momentum, she broke early in the third set (2-0) before being caught up at 2-2. But it took more than that to deny Caroline Garcia another semifinal in Cagnes-sur-Mer, as the French player then rolled to a 1-6 7-5 6-2 victory.
She will face the Spaniard Estrella Cabeza-Candela, who ousted the Luxembourgish second seed Mandy Minella in two sets 6-4 6-2.
Virginie Razzano, on the other hand, faced a formidable opponent in Romina Oprandi. The Swiss assumed her status by controlling the match thanks to her very complete game and ever-effective drop shots. She won in 2 sets 6-1 6-4.
In the semifinals, Romina Oprandi will face the Ukrainian Maryna Zanevska. The lucky loser, who had lost in the 3rd round of qualifications before being given a second chance, emerged victorious from a marathon third match in 3 sets, winning, exhausted, 0-6 6-3 6-4.
On Saturday, the semifinals will begin at 2:00 PM with Romina Oprandi against Maryna Zanevska, followed by the match between Caroline Garcia and Estrella Cabeza-Candela.
by Laurence Andreoletti
