The first singles match of the day saw yesterday's losers Kristina Mladenovic and Sara Errani go up against each other. The Frenchwoman overcame an extremely tight first set before closing out the win 7-6(4), 6-4. With the tie at 2-1, pressure was on Camila Giorgi to deliver against Caroline Garcia. The Italian failed however, as Garcia completed the victory 6-3, 6-4. The obligatory doubles rubber followed which went in the way of the French as they demolished the Italians 6-0, 6-1 in 46 minutes. France won 4-1 against Italy.

Mladenovic Overcame Tough First To Bring Tie to 2-1

The Italian started well choosing to receive and it paid off as she broke in the first game of the match. Errani's serves looked shaky but the Frenchwoman was not able to pounce on them with her attacking style when she had her chances. Mladenovic's error count was creeping though and it gave Errani opportunities to break. Both players seemingly not able to hold serve as they got broken thrice in a row to bring the score to 4-4. The set progressed on serves as they tightened their games which led to a tiebreak.

Mladenovic was 5-2 up on serve before she was pegged back by Errani to 5-4. The Italian unable to keep serve though as Mladenovic toughs it out to clinch the first set 7-6(4) in 70 minutes.

The second set was an easier affair for the Frenchwoman. She tightened up her errors hitting just four to the countless she hit in the first set. Mladenovic goes on to break Errani's serve three times to close the match 7-6(4), 6-1 in an hour and 32 minutes and give France the lead.

Mladenovic relieved to give France the lead | Photo courtesy of: Anne-Christine Poujoulat (Getty Images)
Mladenovic relieved to give France the lead | Photo courtesy of: Anne-Christine Poujoulat

Match Stats for Mladenovic

A much better service game from Mladenovic today as she got in 60 percent of her first serves and won 74 percent of them. In contrast, Errani got in more first serves but only won half of them.

Though the unforced error count for the Frenchwoman was high at 40, she hit a whopping 33 winners to Errani's 7 which made all the difference.

Garcia In Total Control Over Giorgi

Garcia was rock solid in her match against Giorgi. She played well in her service games and got the break after a mammoth sixth game to go 4-2 up. Giorgi gave it all and got the break back immediately. But it wasn't for long as Garcia broke once more before closing out the first set 6-3.

It was a tighter contest in the second set as Giorgi had all to do keep Italy's hope alive. The Italian suffered the first blow though as the Frenchwoman got the only break in the third game of the set. Credit to Giorgi for not crumbling and hanging on till the end but she could do no more. That only break was enough for Garcia to seal the deal for France 3-1 winning the match 6-3, 6-4. The French team rejoiced while the Italians bowed out once again. 

Garcia the hero winning both her singles matches | Photo courtesy of: Anne-Christine Poujoulat (Getty Images)
Garcia the hero winning both her singles matches | Photo courtesy of: Anne-Christine Poujoulat (Getty Images)

Match Stats For Garcia

Garcia benefitted from Giorgi's 13 double faults as she hit a couple of her own. Otherwise it was good serving from the French winning 89 percent of first serves to Giorgi's 68 percent.

Garcia also hit 11 winners while Giorgi hit six. The Frenchwoman also hit less errors at 24 compared to the Italian's 32. 

Doubles Thrashing By The French

France decided to change their nominations to allow Garcia and Mladenovic to continue on with the match. The French pair barely missed a beat as they cruised to a 6-0 lead. The Italians with Errani paired up with Martina Caregaro, finally got on board with a break in the second set but that was all they got as Mladenovic and Garcia raced to win 6-0, 6-1 in just 48 minutes.

No stopping the French duo | Photo courtesy of: Jean Catuffe
No stopping the French duo | Photo courtesy of: Jean Catuffe

Winning Stats In Doubles

24 winners hit by the French overwhelmed the Italians who only managed to hit eight of their own. Mladenovic and Garcia were queens of the net as they won 65 percent of net points while the Italian pair only won 27 percent of them.

Semifinals

The win puts France into the semifinals for the second consecutive year where they will challenge Netherlands, who upset Russia, for a spot in the semifinals.

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About the author
Pavitra Ganesan
Tennis enthusiast and aspiring journalist.