Coco Vandeweghe beats Caroline Garcia to reach Stuttgart final
- Published
Vandeweghe also saw off defending champion Laura Siegemund earlier in the event
World number 16 Coco Vandeweghe reached her maiden WTA singles final on clay with a 6-4 6-2 win over sixth seed Caroline Garcia in the Stuttgart Open.
The 26-year-old American, who beat world number one Simona Halep in the quarter-finals, saw off France's Garcia in 74 minutes to reach the final.
Vandeweghe has won two WTA titles, both in the Netherlands on grass courts.
She will play fifth seed Karolina Pliskova, who beat Anett Kontaveit 6-4 6-2, in Sunday's final.
Vandeweghe has beaten three top-10 players this week, having seen off US Open champion Sloane Stephens in the first round.
She is the first American to reach a WTA final in Stuttgart since Lindsay Davenport in 2005.
Asked about her success in Stuttgart on a surface she has previously stated a dislike for, Vandeweghe said: "My mum told me I have some German heritage from my great grandmother so that's probably why it's clicking here.
"I'm definitely trying different things and enjoying my time out on the court instead of taking it too seriously. It's like I'm back in California on the beach and I don't care."
Vandeweghe prevailed in her most recent meeting with Pliskova - in the quarter-finals of last year's US Open - and holds a 3-2 lead overall.
However, the Czech triumphed in straight sets when they met in the last 16 in Stuttgart last year.
Pliskova, who did not face a break point against Kontaveit, admitted serve will be crucial on Sunday.
"I will need to play well and serve well, those are the keys to the match," said Pliskova, 26. "I will have to get as many balls back as possible."
- Published27 April 2018
