Connecticut Open, USA

[27] Caroline Garcia (FRA) vs. [68] Kirsten Flipkens (BEL)

Garcia led their head-to-head 2:0 going into this encounter; however, Garcia has become better recognized for her doubles prowess with partner Kristina Mladenovic. Although she won two singles titles this season, her results remain inconsistent.  She is great one tournament only to lose early in the next series of tournaments.  Flipkens has found a new enthusiasm for the game and is playing some of her best tennis this season.

Things seemed to be heading to an easy victory for Garcia after she fought off break points in the eighth game of the first set, she broke and was serving for the set.  Yet, as often happens to Garcia, she was overcome by nerves and lost her serve to lose the first set in a tiebreak.  The second set should have been Garcia’s as well, she broke and was serving to consolidate; yet again, the mental switch was flipped and she was broken.  As Flipkens grew in confidence, Garcia wilted in despair; frustrated by her inability to serve, she threw her racquet.  She was visibly upset on the changeover; however, more importantly, she did not believe she could fight back and win.

Once her will was broken, there was nothing Garcia could do to turn things around.  Flipkens is savvy enough to recognize that her opponent had lost her belief and she kept right on attacking, forcing Garcia into more and more errors.  Lucky loser Flipkens keeps going.  She knocked out Belinda Bencic in the first round and today she defeated Garcia 7-6(3), 7-5.  Next up is the always dangerous Agnieszka Radwanska, the number one seed.