Sixth seed Caroline Garcia took on Anna-Lena Friedsam in the second round at the Mallorca Open. The pair had never met before and it was looking to be an interesting match for a spot in the quarterfinals.
In a set with barely any chances, Garcia capitalized at the only one that came her way to take the first set. Friedsam was off to a strong start but the Frenchwoman broke back and as the set got tighter it went to an eventual tiebreak. The sixth seed remained calm under pressure to eventually see out the victory 6-4, 7-6(8).
One chance, one break, and first set went to Garcia
The German started off things with a quick hold of serve. In fact, the first three games of the set breezed past without any problem for the server. Both players were solid in their service games and neither lost more than one point on serve in the first eight games.
The breakthrough came in the ninth game when Garcia got her first chance to break after an error from Friedsam. A loose backhand from the German handed the Frenchwoman with a crucial break as she led 5-4. Garcia went on to seal the set in emphatic fashion losing just four points on serve throughout the first set.
Garcia saves set points to edge a tight set in a tiebreak
Friedsam was off to a flyer in the second set, finally getting a look in on the Frenchwoman’s serve. Garcia was scrambling but could not rescue the point as Friedsam took a 2-0 lead. Garcia came fighting back though and earned a couple of break point with the German unable to handle the Frenchwoman’s deep return. Friedsam managed to save one of those but caved in unfortunately with a double fault to allow Garcia to break right back. The sixth seed then held with relative ease to level the set 2-2.
With both women seemingly tightening up their serves once more, it was looking more like a case of who would falter first. As the Frenchwoman was serving to bring the set to a tiebreak, Friedsam set up set point smashing a return on deuce. Garcia saved the point bravely but Friedsam continued piling on the pressure. After being pushed to three deuces, the Frenchwoman eventually held to bring the tight set to a tiebreak.
The tiebreak was as close as it could get with both women hanging on to their serve. Friedsam used her slice to great effect to eventually get the mini break for her second set point at 6-5. Garcia saved set point once again this time coolly finishing with an overhead smash to level for 6-6. The Frenchwoman then had match point of her own as the German was unable to control the shot at the net. However, there was yet another twist as Garcia was unable to capitalize with Friedsam’s speedy return coming right back at her and skidded off the baseline. Garcia argued it was out but the point went against her.
With the tiebreak intensifying, the sixth seed had another match point on Friedsam’s serve but the German’s big serve came to the rescue to level for 8-8. A superb forehand drive volley then earned Garcia her third match point and the Frenchwoman made no mistake, this time sealing the set with an ace to close out the victory.