The Australian Open began this Sunday. The first Grand Slam of the season was the occasion to celebrate Alizé Cornet’s 68th consecutive participation in a major of the year.
To achieve this, the player from Nice faced Russian Maria Timofeeva (20 years old, ranked 144th in the world). Coming from the qualifiers, this young player from Moscow was initially within Alizé Cornet’s reach. However, a shoulder injury marred the start of the season for the player from the French Riviera. On anti-inflammatory medication for several days, she was playing her first match of the season. Without any substantial winter preparation, it was ultimately difficult to say whether the player from the Côte d’Azur would be ready in time for this Grand Slam.
Facing a player inexperienced in major matches, Alizé Cornet’s experience could make the difference. In vain… The Frenchwoman began the match very awkwardly, and Maria Timofeeva made no concessions to the player from Nice. Trailing (5-0) with two set points against her, Cornet managed to come back into the match with intense efforts. Long rallies, which are her trademark and proof of her desire to perform at the highest level. By saving two other set points on her serve, there was hope for a comeback against a player with a shaky racket. However, Maria Timofeeva composed herself to close out the first set (6-2).
Alizé Cornet: “I will need to get back to work”
The second set was just as difficult for Alizé Cornet. More tenacious on her second serves, the player from Nice seemed to be battling against herself. Lacking landmarks against a player who simply kept returning the ball, the Frenchwoman eventually made one too many unforced errors. Maria Timofeeva broke to lead (3-1) and offered no opportunity for a comeback. Eventually, Alizé Cornet lost in the first round (6-2/6-4) in just over two hours of play nonetheless.
Now it will likely be early February before we see the player from Nice back on the courts, possibly in Thailand, Romania, or India. “If I want to have a decent season, I will need to get back to work, and that won’t be easy either (smile)” she confided in a press conference after the match.
