The Frenchwoman, her right thigh still wrapped in a big bandage but who did not seem to be in pain, therefore failed in the quarters of this tournament, as in 2018. She remained in a final in Lyon on February 5.
In the first set, the 29-year-old Lyonnaise was clearly dominated by Sakkari, to whom she even made it easier by committing a number of unforced errors.
The Greek made the break on the first game of the game.
Garcia then offered him a double break on a double fault to lead 4-1 then 5-1 and conclude the set on his next service game.
The game evened out in the second set, with Garcia serving better and committing fewer unforced errors.
Sakkari had to save two break points at 3-4 then a set point at 4-5, before getting a break point at 5-5.
But the two players saved their face-offs and came to the tie break.
The Greek was two points from the match but Garcia then chained three magnificent points to equalize at one set everywhere.
In the last set, the players arrived at the decisive game without having had to defend the slightest break point.
And this time, it was the Greek who won, on her second match point.
On Friday, she will face the American Jessica Pegula (3rd), earlier winner of the Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia (12th) for a place in the final.
The other semi-final will oppose the world N.1 Iga Swiatek, who benefited from the package of Belinda Bencic (9th) to reach without playing the last four, to the Russian Veronika Kudermetova (11th) who dismissed Thursday the American Coco Gauff (6th).
© 2023 AFP