• Defeating Petra Kvitova in straight sets at Lindner Tennis Center at the Cincinnati Open, Ohio.

After battling through the qualifying stages, Carolina Garcia became the first woman qualifier to win a title at the WTA 1000 tournament. Garcia also went on to defeat three-top10 ranked players. She defeated the likes of Maria Sakkari, Jessica Pegula and Aryna Sabalenka before facing Kvitova in the final.

Carolina Garcia Flew Past Kvitova At The Cincinnati Open

Garcia got off to a good start in the first set. She broke Kvitova right after the match started after a double fault from the Czech. Garcia was also on a break point before grinding out a long spell of hold, and breaking kvitova immediately after her hold to lead 4-0. Though the two-time Wimbledon champion got on board and had two more opportunities to take a break back, but the French emerged champion was in her very best and easily closed out the first set in less than 40 minutes. Without wasting time in the second set, Garcia once again like in the start of the first set. Breaking Kvitova to take an early 2-0 lead and left the Czech searching for answers.

The world No.28, who had won 11 of her last 14 WTA finals, appeared in need of an health trainer. She called for the trainer and a medical time-out for treatment on her calf. She returned to court with more determination in her game, making a loud roar on having a break point with a volley at 2-1. However, Garcia dug deep to maintain her lead. Garcia was clearly no longer the dictator of the game. She looked set to bottle her next service game at triple break point down *0-40, but she rallied hard and somehow wriggled out of danger to take a 4-2 lead. Kvitova kept coming at her but Garcia held her nerves and served for championship winning 6-2,6-4.

The win over Kvitova makes it her third Masters Victory of her career after consecutive successes in Wuhan and Beijing almost five years ago. The win also sees Garcia back into Top20 for the first time after 2017. Garcia is also now ranked World No.17 and should be one of the favorites going into the US Open.