(Berlin) France’s Caroline Garcia defeated local favorite Sabine Lisicki 7-6 (2), 6-3, while Czech Petra Kvitova also advanced to the first round at the Berlin Open on Monday.
Garcia, the third seed, had to work hard before finally taking control when she broke her rival’s serve at 4-3 in the second set. For her part, she saved the three break points she gave to Lisicki, in addition to converting two of the 13 chances obtained.
Both players had 15 aces each.
“It’s funny because we trained in the same place and together and then we had to face each other in the first round. It’s often stories like that, said Garcia. But it was really complicated… It’s always a good battle and I’m happy that Sabine is playing again. »
Lisicki, 33, reached the final at Wimbledon in 2013. Injuries have derailed her career in recent years and she currently sits 308e world rank.
For her part, Kvitova, a two-time Wimbledon champion, defeated her compatriot Karolina Pliskova 6-3, 6-4. Croatian Donna Vekic defeated Russian Varvara Gracheva 6-3, 6-2.
