WTA Indian Wells: Emma Raducanu eliminates Caroline Garcia in the 2nd round (6-1, 3-6, 6-1) after a great duel

Where was Emma Raducanu? This was one of the big questions at the start of the tournament before its debut on Friday. Hit in the hip and forced to retire in Guadalajara two weeks ago and lacking in confidence lately, the Briton did not give all the guarantees before appearing on the court. Caroline Garcia, she remained on an encouraging tournament at home in Lyon (semi-final) with an interesting quality of tennis. The opportunity therefore seemed good for her, and yet… No luck, the Briton found part of the recipe that had allowed her to shine at Flushing Meadows.

Raducanu finished with a cannonball

Because Garcia did not miss her match, far from it. Quickly led by a set and a break (6-1, 1-0) by a boosted opponent, she didn’t give up, coming back up to par before competing in the exchange in sequences of great beauty. After a rally at full speed, she thus took the lead in this second act of a winning short crossed backhand love (6-1, 2-4). And if she saw Raducanu unbreak white in the next game, she answered him tit for tat to reset the counters to zero on her 6th opportunity (1-6, 6-3).

We thought then that Garcia had taken the psychological ascendancy, but we could not be more mistaken. More determined than ever, finding an excellent quality of the first ball, Raducanu carried out a hellish train from the start of the decisive set. As hard-hitting, stunning by the speed of her movements (her small adjustment steps crunched on the harsh Californian abrasive) as disarming by the relevance of her tactical choices between changes of pace and zones and variations in trajectories, the Briton has takes the break to take over the reins. Before unfolding in tornado mode of the last US Open, to close the deal in about twenty minutes. To be confirmed, however, over time…