Like hundreds of professional players, Katherine Sebov has been rolling around on the ITF circuit for several years, in the antechamber of the splendor of the WTA, far away from the glamor of the Grand Slam tournaments.

So much so, in fact, that the 24-year-old Ontarian said “mission accomplished” last week when she won her first qualifier in Melbourne. “I had never achieved anything like this before,” she stated on Tuesday.

Then Sebov won the second meeting. And the third, who gave him his ticket to the big picture. But while luck – and especially her tennis – seemed to be on her side, the tie didn’t spare her.

Garcia… but headquarters

The lean athlete could have faced another qualifier in the first round. Fate would have her face off at the end of the season against French Caroline Garcia, fourth favorite, champion of the Masters.

A player to whom Sebov, who has a career-best finish this week, cedes 186 ranks in the WTA.

And one player who didn’t leave her on the court much on Tuesday: After a more even start to the match that convinced the Canadian that she has “her place here”, the French won 6-3, 6-0 in 1 h 05 min

That twist of fate, however, came with a nanny, even nicer than the bottle of champagne she was offered by organizers when she qualified (she prefers tequila anyway): the opportunity to set foot inside Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne’s largest stadium , to put 15,000 seats.

From dream to reality

On Tuesday, as is so often the case at the beginning of the day, they were rather empty, especially in the women’s draw games. But for Sebov it didn’t matter. “I’ve never experienced anything like it, I’ve never played in such an atmosphere,” said the shy player.

“I just wanted to enjoy it,” she added. It’s been my dream since I was little.”

And did you enjoy it, Katherine? “Oh yes! It confirmed to me that I want to go back. That I would come back,” she assured.