This afternoon, our two Azuréennes had appointments for the round of 16 of the Open de Rouen.
Fiona Ferro kicked off against the Spaniard Aliona Bolsova Zadoinov (25 years old, world No. 135). These two players had faced each other in 2022 (defeat) and more recently in mid-August in Barranquilla (victory in two sets).
The Maralpine largely dominated the match. More powerful and physically strong, Fiona Ferro quickly gains the advantage. However, by trying too hard, the French player loses her way a bit at times. Lacking success on her second serve, she gets broken back and pushed into a tie-break. Superior in the game, the Azuréenne makes too many unforced errors and comes close to a mishap. She finally pulls through (76-68).
Dominating is not winning. An expression that Fiona Ferro will validate in due course. In the second set, frustration overshadows her game. Despite a great dominance, the French player strings together unforced errors on her forehand. As a result, the second set goes to the Spaniard (6-3).
In the final set, Aliona Bolsova is outpaced by Fiona Ferro’s powerful shots. By flirting with the lines, the Maralpine leaves many points on the table. Both players feel the tension, but it is ultimately Fiona Ferro who breaks the Spaniard down. Final score (7-6/3-6/6-3) in 2 hours and 26 minutes.
Alizé Cornet did not waver
A bit later in the evening, Alizé Cornet faced the Hungarian Dalma Galfi (25 years old, world No. 149). A tactical match in which the Niçoise made the difference in the first set. More aggressive on the return of serve from her opponent, Alizé Cornet takes the lead and will not be caught. Despite being broken back, which caused frustration, the French player does not waver (6-4).
The trend reverses in the second set. Dalma Galfi takes the lead until midway through the set. More powerful, the Hungarian poses problems for the Niçoise. Alizé Cornet uses her tactical sense to force her opponent to play one more shot. She manages to get back in the game by saving six break points and earning just as many. She even gets a match point after a superb backhand passing shot. She needs one more to conclude fairly easily in two sets (6-4/6-3) in 1 hour and 48 minutes.
In the quarter-final, she will face the Spaniard Nuira Parrizas-Diaz. As for Fiona Ferro, she will have to deal with the Swiss Viktorija Golubic or her young compatriot Tiphanie Lemaitre.
