Caroline Garcia feeling good about her chances in Roland Garros

PARIS—France's Caroline Garcia says she is a contender to win the title at the French Open, and wants to use the home crowds to her advantage.

The world No. 7 is very effective on clay, and has had a consistent clay-court season, getting to the semifinals in Stuttgart and Madrid, and the quarterfinals of Rome. She comes into the French Open as a player who could win the title in a field with no huge favorites.

"Yes—why not, because the past few years, there has been more opportunities,” Garcia said. “I don't know if there's more this year than past year, it's more or less the same. But usually the winners are in the Top 10 for the major tournaments, but obviously there are opportunities that can be seized.

"I don't think there is someone who is more favorite than another, but it's still a Grand Slam. I have an opportunity. And the fact that it's open means that people who are lower in the ranks also want to seize their opportunities.”

Roland Garros 2018 Racquet Bracket—Women's Draw:

It was in 2017 that Garcia had her first deep run at the French Open, when she reached the quarterfinals. She then finished the season with back-to-back titles at Wuhan and Beijing that also saw her qualify for Singapore and reach the Top 10.

She says changing her approach to pressure has helped.

“I think it's what makes the difference last year was I was not seeing only the pressure and negative side to be a French player in French Open. I was seeing also the positive,” Garcia said. “That's what I try to kept doing in all the year. For sure now it's important for me to see it like here it's an opportunity to be here as a Top 10 as a French player.

"So it's a great event. I'm very happy to be here. For sure it's a little bit different. There is more attention but there is probably also more support. So it's great to be here.”

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