Initially, Pliskova was not at the same level in this department. She fell 0-40 down in her opening service game, and while the first point was saved as Garcia erroneously allowed a looping passing shot from the Czech to drop in, she made no mistake given another chance.

The 25-year-old remained on top but barely a hint of a break followed as she got the first on the board.

With small margins defining the match, Pliskova was left frustrated following a disputed line call, having finally gained a foothold in a Garcia service game. Her protests led to a code violation, but she rapidly regained her cool to maintain parity.

An engrossing second set, in which both players struck more winners than unforced errors, was decided by a tiebreak. Garcia would live to regret the four break points she missed as she succumbed to the big serving of her opponent, who struck 13 aces in the second set alone.

The decider followed a similarly tight pattern. WTA World No.22 Garcia was making the greater inroads, but Pliskova defended her serve phenomenally well on the big points.

Never was this more evident as she fell three match points down at 0-40, 4-5. That she saved the third with an ace down the ‘T’ was typical of her stoicism as the match rolled on, ultimately into another breaker.

Her graft was rewarded with a match point in the decider, yet it was shut down by a brilliant Garcia forehand, which clicked her up a gear in the critical moments, finally sealing victory at the fifth time of asking.

Compatriot Chloe Paquet or Basak Eraydin awaits in the second round.