If, as she hinted, Alizé Cornet were to retire at the end of the 2022 season and if this Australian Open was therefore to be her last, then it will be memorable. The Frenchwoman has the assurance of equaling (at least…) her best result with a round of 16 reached at the cost of a fight which she has the secret won against Tamara Zidansek (seeded n ° 29), 4 -6, 6-4, 6-2 in 2h42.
Cornet, who had reached the eighth in Melbourne 13 years ago already (in 2009), was however led 6-4, 4-1 by the semi-finalist of Roland-Garros last year. But by throwing her last strength into the fight, she finally reversed the course of a match that she ended up much stronger physically than her opponent, wrung out by this enormous standoff disputed in very hot conditions.
Open d’Australie
Sabalenka wears it again, Halep impresses
AN HOUR AGO
The Melbourne public gave a beautiful birthday present to Alizé Cornet
Cornet drew deep within herself
“I can’t believe I won that game, smiled Alizé, radiant, during her interview on the Margaret Court Arena. Tamara was playing well, I was not at my best on my side. But I kept fighting and here I am back in the round of 16 at the Australian Open. It’s a magical win for me.”
Between two players with a fairly similar profile, two extremely combative “counter-punchers”, both able to counter excellently and take the game on their own, the fight was bitter, the games like the exchanges often very long. And the Slovenian, still ahead in the score for more than a set and a half, seemed to have taken a decisive advantage when she broke away 6-4, 4-1, service to follow.
Alizé Cornet’s “sliding” passing against Tamara Zidansek in video
But the Frenchwoman, true to herself, did not give up, saving six balls from 5-3 in an eighth game of more than a quarter of an hour after which she ended up unbreaking and return to height thanks to a sumptuous backhand passing. The turning point, probably. Because behind, Zidansek seemed to take a big hit on the visor, mentally and (especially) physically.
Seven games in a row and a torture for Zidansek
Despite a very severe warning received just after this break for overtime, Alizé was able to keep her nerves, which she preferred to pass on the referee. She was also able to count on the sudden generosity of her opponent who began to compile errors (64 unforced errors!), including four in a row to lose her serve again and the 2nd set with.
Led 2-0 in the 3rd set, Zidansek managed to stop a haemorrhage of seven games conceded consecutively. She fought to the end, still getting a 4-3 ball after being down 4-1. But physically, the match was starting to turn to torture for her. Alizé Cornet only had to finish it. What she did without trembling, to afford a prestigious meeting in the round of 16 against Simona Halep (n ° 14), who went much shorter to beat the Montenegrin Danka Kovinic (6-2, 6- 1).
Open d’Australie
Amortie, passing: Paire puts on a show against Tsitsipas
AN HOUR AGO
Open d’Australie
Sabalenka drops another set but qualifies in 8th against Vondrousova: video highlights
AN HOUR AGO