The concept was simple in advance: the winner can compete against Sakkari a day later. In the first set, the match seemed to favor Garcia, but the Russian Kasatkina fought back and even dragged into the set. In the second set everything fell in the direction of Garcia and Kasatkina was nowhere to be seen.
She seemed to continue that trend in the third and decisive set, but despite an early break, the game turned. With a furious pass and a clenched fist after every win, Kasatkina even got a breakpoint at 4-3, but Garcia managed to get it away. After that, she also kept her game and it was still tied. In that game, Garcia had no fewer than six chances to place the break, without success: her new tactic to finish everything quickly with a winner did not succeed. After thirteen minutes, Kasatkina held her own games.
It eventually turned into a tiebreak and the penny fell in the direction of Garcia, who managed to win the marathon after a marathon point. Sakkari will have enjoyed the thrilling fight: rested and well, she will take on her probably still somewhat tired opponent a day later. The other semifinal is between Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka.