While Top 20 youngsters Sloane Stephens and Eugenie Bouchard are yet to win their first WTA titles, 20-year-old Caroline Garcia of France not only defeated top seed and defending champion Jelena Jankovic 6-3 6-4 to triumph at the Claro Open Colsanitas in Bogota for her first Top 10 victory and maiden WTA title, but she became the first woman in almost two years to complete the singles-doubles sweep, winning in doubles with Lara Arruabarrena. Entering the final, Garcia was 0-6 against Top 10 players and 0-2 against Jankovic, but in those two losses to the former world No.1 Serb, Garcia had match points both times. Garcia is now just one spot away from cracking the Top 50, having risen from No.74 to No.51.
France got another champion over the weekend, when Alize Cornet won her fourth career title at the BNP Paribas Katowice Open, and it was the first time in six and a half years that two players from France triumphed at WTA tournaments in the same week (the USA Fed Cup team beware, both Garcia and Cornet are playing the upcoming World Group Play-offs!). Cornet ousted home favorite and top seed Agnieszka Radwanska in the semis, resurrecting from a bagel in the first set 0-6 6-2 6-4, and then proceeded through a marathon final against Camila Giorgi, recording a 7-6(3) 5-7 7-5 victory in three hours and eleven minutes. (photo: Jimmie48)
I had teh chance to watch the Katowice Final. Great competition from both players. One of the best games I have been able to witness live in person.