Back in the top five for the first time since 2018, the pressure will be back on Caroline Garcia to deliver a strong performance at this year’s Australian Open. The Frenchwoman plays Leylah Fernandez in round two, looking to move one step closer to improving on her career best fourth round here and better.
Fernandez showed some promise last year to build on her shock 2021 US Open final run with a Monterrey title and French Open QF the pick of her results. Injury did hinder the latter part of her 2022 though so she will be eager to bounce back this year. She will be disappointed by her Auckland loss to Ysaline Bonaventure but recovered well to move past Alize Cornet in straight sets.
Garcia’s highest level is undoubtedly worthy of a top 5 spot but maintaining consistency and fitness across years was an issue last time she surged up the rankings. “It’s obviously a new season, and I can keep all the positive of what happen last year, all the improvement I made,” she said after her 6-3 6-0 victory against Katherine Sebov in round one. She was always in control in this one and faced just two break points, both of which were saved.
Fernandez has the athleticism to keep up with Garcia so it will be interesting to see how the World No.4 deals with that. She is still vulnerable to the odd surprise loss but this is the kind of match she should definitely be coming through if she wants to establish herself as a perennial slam contender. Controlling her aggression and serving well should put her in a good position to win this one.
Prediction – Caroline Garcia in three sets
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