Tennis world stunned by never-before-seen feat: 'Hard to believe'
The tennis world has reacted with shock after qualifier Caroline Garcia defeated Petra Kvitova in the Cincinnati Masters final in a history making moment.
Garcia's 6-2, 6-4 win meant she became the first qualifier in history to win a WTA 1000 event having beaten three top-10 world-ranked opponents, Maria Sakkari, Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula.
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The 28-year-old French star - who was formerly a World No.5 - is leading the tour with aces and once again put in a masterclass of serving having blasted 11 past Kvitova in the final.
Kvitova, a two-time Wimbledon champion, couldn't convert on any of her eight break points against Garcia in the penultimate match.
"It's hard to believe I am standing here today, it has been such a week," Garcia told the crowd.
"I saw something today that it was your (Kvitova's) 40th career final and I was like OK, imagine that."
Under threatening skies, Garcia started with a break, helped by a pair of double faults by Kvitova, who again struggled with her serve.
In her semi-final she served three double faults in the opening game to gift Madison Keys an early break before fighting back to win in three sets.
But there would be no escape against Garcia, who piled on the pressure with a second break to sweep the opening four games.
Garcia carried on in the second set as she again broke Kvitova at the first opportunity and held for a quick 2-0 lead when Kvitova called for a medical time-out.
Kvitova returned to the court with no noticeable strapping but Garcia was not be distracted, holding serve the rest of the way to clinch her 10th career title.
Tennis world reacts to Caroline Garcia's crazy record
The tennis world was quick to react to Garcia's unprecedented record after winning the Cincinnati Masters.
Caroline Garcia, who was a qualifier, flies all the way into the #CincyTennis final with a win over Aryna Sabalenka. Garcia’s first WTA 1000 final since sweeping Wuhan and Beijing in 2017.
Garcia will face Petra Kvitova in the final.— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) August 20, 2022
Carolina Garcia beats Petra Kvitova 6-2, 6-4 for the Cincinnati title, her first WTA 1000 since Wuhan/Beijing double in 2017.
The former top 5 is playing some incredible tennis in the last three months and surely one to watch at the US Open. pic.twitter.com/cGS32xWDfy— José Morgado (@josemorgado) August 21, 2022
Caroline Garcia defeated Petra Kvitova 6-2, 6-4 @CincyTennis final. Winning her third title of the year and a milestone 10th Hologic WTA Tour singles title overall.Garcia becomes the first qualifier to win a WTA 1000 title since the tier was created in 2009.
— Tomrobson (@its_tomrobson) August 21, 2022
Carolina Garcia is a WTA 1000 champion once more! Almost five years after her last title at this level, she downs Petra Kvitova 6-2 6-4 to win the Western & Southern Open.
Becomes the first qualifier in #CincyTennis history to lift the title and will now be seeded at the US Open— Yasmin Syed (@yasminstefsyed) August 21, 2022
Garcia's victory means she will move up in the rankings and be seeded for the US Open.
The Frenchwoman hasn't won a title since winning both Wuhan and Beijing titles back in 2017.
with AAP
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