French Open 2023: Anna Blinkova stuns local favourite Caroline Garcia in three-set thriller to reach third round

Hopes of a home champion at the French Open are all but over after fifth seed Caroline Garcia blew a one-set lead to suffer a shock second-round exit against Anna Blinkova. Garcia, the top-ranked French player across the men’s and women’s singles draws as the No. 5 seed, got off to a strong start by taking the opener to the delight of a boisterous home support on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

Ad But her serve fell apart in the second as world No. 56 Blinkova mustered an impressive response, breaking twice to level things up before edging a knife-edge decider to claim a 4-6 6-3 7-5 victory in two hours and 51 minutes. Roland-GarrosGarcia pleased with 'incredible atmosphere' at French Open after first-round victory over WangYESTERDAY AT 21:21 “I am very happy.

Caroline is a great player and a great fighter, fighting until the end. It was crazy. It’s a really important victory for me.

I’ll never forget this match,” Blinkova said on court. “I try to concentrate game by game, and day by day. I love the surface, the energy and the appreciation and support of the crowd.

It was a wonderful show for the spectators.” The result marked the latest disappointment for Garcia on in Paris as she exited her home Grand Slam in the second round for the third year in a row. Pegula through to third round as Giorgi retires with injury 'Best shot of the tournament so far!' — Kasatkina's 'utterly outrageous' tweener Wilander fancies Rune and Ruud after Medvedev exit 'opens up' French Open draw Blinkova, meanwhile, is enjoying her joint-best campaign at Roland-Garros by matching her run to the third round in 2019, and the Russian will face Elina Svitolina next. A lively crowd on Philippe-Chatrier made their voices heard from the off as the French