Iga Swiatek, of Poland, hits a return to Caroline Garcia, of France, during the Miami Open tennis tournament, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Photo: AP
Swiatek had beaten Garcia with ease at the same stage at Indian Wells earlier this month but she faced a little more resistance at Hard Rock Stadium.
Swiatek was 3-1 down in the second set and had to save a set point, when serving at 5-4 down before rallying to win the last three games.
"My energy level got down really fast. So, I tried to wake myself up, keep the intensity from the first set, follow through and go for it," Swiatek said.
Swiatek lost to Mirra Andreeva in the semi-finals at Indian Wells with the 17-year-old Russian going on to win the title.
Andreeva is in action later on Friday when she takes on fellow-Russian Veronika Kundermetova.
In the men's draw, fourth-seed Novak Djokovic faces Australian Rinky Hijikata while second-seed Carlos Alcaraz launches his bid against Belgian David Goffin.
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