Tennis News: Cincinnati Open - Caroline Garcia beats Petra Kvitova to claim historic win

The victory made Caroline Garcia the first woman qualifier to win the title at a WTA 1000 tournament. She is having a fantastic week, having won eight of her last nine matches, beating three Top 10 players and winning her first Masters 1000 title since 2017.

Caroline Garcia started the opening set aggressively and raced to a 4-0. She broke Petra Kvitova twice from three opportunities to clinch the first set 6-2.

The 28-year-old Frenchwoman continued with her winning momentum in the second set by earning an immediate break. 

World No. 28 Petra Kvitova had to take a medical timeout due to an issue with her leg while trailing 2-0. She returned to court with renewed vigor and almost pulled back on serve at 3-2.

However, Carolina Garcia fended off the attempts of her Czechian opponent with explosive serves to hold on to her narrow lead.

Caroline Garcia served two consecutive aces at 5-4, giving her two championship point opportunities. She converted the first one while forcing a short return from Petra Kvitova on the second to clinch the Cincinnati Open title.

After the victory, Caroline Garcia said, "Every match, every day was a new day, a new challenge. Every time I had to be focused on myself, on my game, what can I do, how I could be more aggressive, and how can I improve. Just one day at a time, I ended up here today in the final and now lifting the trophy.

Caroline Garcia served 11 aces, won 82% of the points on the first serve and saved all of the eight breakpoints she faced to secure her victory after one hour and 42 minutes of play.

It was the tenth Hologic WTA Tour singles title of Caroline Garcia's career and the third for the season, having won the trophies at the Poland Open and Bad Homburg Open earlier this year.

The victory over Petra Kvitova also improved the win-loss record of Caroline Garcia in the WTA singles finals to 10-3.