Alycia Parks upsets Caroline Garcia in Lyon Open final to win first WTA title, Zhu Lin wins Thailand Open
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Published 05/02/2023 at 21:25 GMT
Alycia Parks upset world No. 5 Caroline Garcia to win the Lyon Open and claim the first WTA title of her career. The 22-year-old showed off her strong serving as she fired down 15 aces in a straight-sets victory. The only break of the match came in the last game as Garcia double faulted. The result is set to move Parks close to the top 50 in the WTA world rankings.
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Alycia Parks capped off a breakout week by beating top seed Caroline Garcia in the Lyon Open final to clinch her first career title.
The unseeded 22-year-old fired down 15 aces in a powerful hitting display as she beat world No. 5 Garcia 7-6(7) 7-5.
The win is set to move Parks close to the top 50 in the world rankings.
"It feels amazing to hold my first WTA tour-level championship trophy," said Parks, who clinched victory with a double fault from Garcia.
"Words can’t explain. Just last year, I was in an [ITF Challenger] $60,000 final, and now I have won a WTA 250.
“I think France has a special part in my heart right now. I’ll be back next year.”
Parks climbed up the rankings towards the end of 2022 by winning back-to-back WTA 125 titles, but has broken new ground this week by making her first tour-level semi-final and final.
Garcia was bidding for her 12th WTA title at her home event but couldn’t convert any of four break points she had.
Parks, who won 85% of first-serve points, also saved a set point at 7-6 down in the first-set tie-break.
Garcia finished with 13 winners, including four aces, but was broken for the first time on match point when she double faulted.
"I made sure I focused on my service games today to get through the match, because I knew it wasn’t going to be an easy match," said Parks.
"So just staying within myself, and fighting for every point, and that got me through the match.”
She added: “The key to a successful week for me was keeping the same routine.
"I wake up around the same time every morning, and eat the same breakfast, same dinner. Basically just doing the same routine, try to make it a habit if it’s working."
There was another first-time title winner at the Thailand Open as Zhu Lin beat Lesia Tsurenko 6-4 6-4 in the final.
"I’m super happy to win my first title here in Hua Hin," said Zhu, who reached the fourth round of the Australian Open last month.
"Lesia, she’s a fighter, she never gives up, so I needed to give 100 percent and I needed to be more patient, especially towards the end.
"I [felt] a little bit nervous, but I know it’s normal, so I had to handle that, I had to attack when I’d have a chance, because she’s not going to give this match to me. I’m super happy I did it."
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