Caroline Garcia puts on magnificent performance to defeat Aryna Sabalenka and capture WTA Finals title

The resurgent Caroline Garcia ended her 2022 season on a high note, defeating Aryna Sabalenka to claim her maiden WTA Finals trophy on Monday night.

Garcia was splendid in her 7-6(4) 6-4 victory, displaying a mixture of both offensive and defensive tennis to capture her 11th career WTA title. After a slow start to the season, Garcia rediscovered her form this summer, winning the WTA1000 title in Cincinnati and becoming one of the most in-form players on tour.

Despite staving off elimination with a crucial win over Daria Kasatkina in the group stage on Saturday, Garcia rebounded by ousting the red-hot Maria Sakkari in the semifinals. The Frenchwoman carried her momentum into the final on Monday, as she did not face a break point in the opening set. Neither did Sabalenka, with both ladies matching each other until a tiebreak ensued.

The tiebreak saw Sabalenka establish a 2-0 lead, which quickly evaporated as Garcia won the next six points. After saving two set points, a double fault saw the big-hitting Belarusian hand her opponent the first set after 56 minutes of play. Sabalenka's serve failed her at the most crucial moment, whereas Garcia looked dominant on serve, as the Frenchwoman hit 10 aces in the opening set.

Momentum seemed to be on Garcia's side, as she looked more assertive with each groundstroke. The 29-year old finally obtained the vital break in the second set to lead 4-3, and sealed her victory following an errant forehand from Sabalenka. Dropping to the ground in sheer joy and disbelief, the World No.6 could barely hold back tears as she celebrated the biggest title win of her career.