SUMMARY
- Caroline Garcia took on Naomi Osaka in Doha, but one hilarious moment stood out.
- A wrong call from the electronic line calling system drew hilarious parallels between Garcia's situation and Jelena Ostapenko's words.
As the first WTA 1000 event of the year, the Qatar Open is off to a flying start. It has been a memorable tournament so far, as the players gave it their all. French tennis star Caroline Garcia fell short, though, as she crashed out in the first round itself. However, there was a particular moment that drew hilarious reactions from Garcia as well as the umpire.
Caroline took on Naomi Osaka in Doha, their first match after the Australian Open, where Garcia knocked Osaka out. Many expected a repeat of her performance, but Caroline struggled against a resurgent Osaka. Naomi had a point to prove, as she is still getting used to the tour after an extended maternity leave. She avenged her loss in Melbourne as she ousted Garcia from the tournament this time.
One moment stood out, though, as Garcia struggled to stay afloat in the second set. The French player was serving during the fourth game, as the scoreboard read 40-15. There was a technological mishap, drawing a surprised reaction from Caroline.
electronic line calling was wild for this one pic.twitter.com/ALmaAyUd6E
— wta (@WTA) February 13, 2024
Garcia was preparing for her serve when she tossed the ball up in the air. She did not follow through and let the ball bounce. However, since the ball dropped behind the baseline, the electronic line calling system called it ‘Out’. Both Caroline and the umpire were surprised, but they saw the funny side of the technological malfunction.
Fans were also quick to jump in and ridicule the dependence on technology. Users brought back Jelena Ostapenko‘s words, as the Latvian was a vocal critic of the system; as one fan commented, “Penko was right from the beginning.”
Penko was right from the beginning. Shady system. 🤭 pic.twitter.com/oncumjtNBg
— Agris Skudra (@AgrisSkudra) February 13, 2024
Caroline Garcia had a forgettable outing in Doha this time. She has not had the best start to her season, and she could not get back on track against Osaka either.
Caroline Garcia vs. Naomi Osaka match highlights
Osaka has been steadily making her comeback to the tour this year. She defeated Garcia comprehensively, 7-5, 6-4. Naomi showed glimpses of her brilliant self as she snapped her losing streak by defeating Caroline Garcia.
It was not an easy victory, though, as Garcia gave as good as she got. The former world No. 1 was trailing 3-5 in the first set before she pulled herself back. She saved seven of eight break points to make it to the second round.
Osaka takes revenge on Garcia 💪
Beaten by Caroline at the Australian Open, the former World No.1 wins this time 7-5 6-4 to move into the 2nd round in Doha
(🎥 @wta) pic.twitter.com/QgpFKB6uy1
— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) February 12, 2024
Garcia fought hard in the second set, but Naomi weathered the storm. Osaka did not let up either, as she forced Garcia to commit a forehand error in the tenth game of the second game. She earned her first match point and got over the finish line with a strong backhand.
Naomi Osaka will take heart from her victory over Garcia. She will face Croatian player Petra Martic in the next round. Naomi will hope to continue her winning momentum.