By Tennis Now | Saturday, April 20, 2019

 

Caroline Garcia and Simona Halep each scored straight-sets wins setting up a crucial battle in tomorrow's reverse singles.

Photo credit: Fed Cup Facebook

A dynamic Caroline Garcia drew France even with Romania setting up an Easter Sunday showdown with Simona Halep.

Continuing her spirited Fed Cup return, Garcia played clean combinations defeating Mihaela Buzarnescu, 6-3, 6-3, putting France level with Romania in the semifinals on the red clay of the Kindarena in Rouen, France.

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The 25-year-old Frenchwoman is 3-0 since returning to Fed Cup competition after a two-year break. Garcia will face Halep in tomorrow’s crucial opening reverse singles.



World No. 2 Halep dismissed Kristina Mladenovic, 6-3, 6-1, momentarily silencing vocal French fans in the opener.

Taking the ball on the rise, Halep hit her backhand with authority and precision to set up forehand strikes. Ten of Halep’s 19 winners came from her forehand.

It was Halep’s eighth straight Fed Cup win.



“It was really difficult to start the match because of the emotions,” Halep said afterward. “It was really tough to start the game, to start the tie.

"I'm really happy with the way I played in the second set. It was much better. It's difficult to play against Kristina because she cuts the rhythm and I couldn't find my rhythm. In the end, I felt much better, and I can say I was dominating."

Dominating describes Halep’s role in her rivalry with Garcia.

The reigning Roland Garros champion has won five of six meetings with Garcia, including their lone clay encounter, 6-2, 6-3, in the Rome quarterfinals last May.

Still, Garcia will have frenzied French fans behind her.

Buzarnescu is scheduled to face Mladenovic in tomorrow’s second reverse singles.

Romania is playing for a trip to its first Fed Cup final.

Two-time champion France is aiming for its sixth final and first since 2016.

The winner of this semifinal will face either Australia or Belarus in the November 9-10th final.

Australia and Belarus are deadlocked, 1-1, in Brisbane.