Caroline Garcia has led France to a 2-1 victory over Norway, which has booked their spot in the semi-finals of the United Cup.
The Frenchwoman had to work extremely hard for her win. She was surprisingly pushed all the way by world number 544, Malene Helgo, before she eventually prevailed 6-2 6-7 7-6.
In a topsy-turvy contest, Helgo saved a match point in the second set before almost snatching victory in the third.
World Number 20 Garcia was full of praise for her Norwegian opponent.
"It was a crazy match, a crazy performance from Helgo. I didn't know her very well, and she just played a crazy match, was hitting the ball so well."
This win gave the French a 1-0 tie lead.
Casper Ruud struck back for Norway, however.
The 2023 French Open runner-up was in ominous touch as he convincingly beat Adrian Mannarino 6-1 6-4.
Ruud was very happy with his performance. He said, “I lost to Adrian a few years ago, so it’s nice to have revenge."
The Norwegian has now won three consecutive matches on hard courts this week.
That is something he was not able to do until the back half of the season in 2023.
At 1-1, the mixed doubles match would decide the tie.
The French pairing of Garcia and doubles specialist Edouard Roger-Vasselin were too classy for the Norwegian pair of Ulrikke Eikeri and Ruud, as they prevailed 7-5 6-4.
It topped off a great night for Garcia. Post-match, she was still buzzing about being able to represent her country.
"It's so nice. We play an individual sport and a few times in the year we have the chance to represent Team France."
France has now booked a spot in the semi-finals of this event, where they are set to play Iga Swiatek’s team Poland.
Tonight, Germany and Greece will face off to decide who faces Australia in the other semi-final on Ken Rosewall Arena tomorrow.
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