ZHENGZHOU, China – France’s Caroline Garcia snapped a four-match losing streak in the opening round of the Zhengzhou Open on Monday, as she held off Tereza Martincova of the Czech Republic in first-round action, 6-4, 4-6, 7-5.

Having gone winless for the better part of a month, Garcia, who lost her opener in Toronto, Cincinnati and at the US Open, won an over two-and-a-half hour marathon against the Czech World No. 138 to move safely through to the second round. 

After an opening two sets which saw just one break for each player, as the sets were deciding the closing games, a dramatic decider lasted over an hour on its own.

Though Garcia led by a break twice, at 1-0 and 5-3, she was forced to win the match on her third match point, as Martincova fought hard with her back against the wall.

The Czech saved two match points on Garcia’s serve in the 10th game, breaking Garcia for a second time in the match to stay alive, but ultimately fell in two hours and 36 minutes.

More to come…