Diane Parry made her entry into the 250 tournament in Guangzhou two weeks after her heavy defeat against Yulia Putintseva. She was facing Italian player Elisabetta Cocciaretto, ranked 95th in the WTA rankings, in an attempt to qualify for the round of 16. The player from Nice, ranked 125th, fought a nearly three-hour battle before conceding in three sets (4-6, 7-6, 2-6).
The French-Italian duel lived up to all its promises this Monday in Guangzhou. Despite a closely contested start, Diane Parry paid for her few inaccuracies against a more consistent opponent. Both players delivered a high-intensity first set, marked by four consecutive service games (2-2). After each securing a break in the middle of the set (3-3), Elisabetta Cocciaretto took advantage of a momentary lapse from the Frenchwoman to take the decisive lead. More precise on important points, the Italian concluded the first set 6-4, while Diane Parry, frustrated, missed an easy ball before throwing her racket to the ground in rage.
A stunning double comeback by Diane Parry in the second set
Trailing 4-0 at the very start of the second set, the player from Nice seemed close to breaking down, not even making the effort to return the ball. But driven by a surge of pride, she mounted an incredible comeback. More aggressive, more mobile, Diane Parry regained her intensity, achieving two consecutive breaks to come back to 4-3. Confident, she managed to step up in the rallies and save several match points at 4-5, before forcing a tie-break.
In this decisive game, the Frenchwoman was initially outpaced (0-5) before once again showing resilience, stringing together winning shots and deep returns to level at 6-6. Her determination eventually wore down the Italian, too nervous towards the end. Diane Parry claimed a heroic set (7-6), a reward for the warrior-like mindset of the player from Nice.
A final set marked by fatigue and pain
After nearly two hours of intense play, fatigue set in. From the very first exchanges, the Frenchwoman seemed fatigued, particularly with her forehand and serve, which she could no longer control. Even though she held on in the initial games, her physical condition ultimately let her down. Affected by a left foot injury, she had to call for the doctor at 2-3.
Courageously, the player from the Maritime Alps continued to fight, but Elisabetta Cocciaretto, fresher, capitalized on the situation to unfold her game and prevail 6-2. Despite the defeat, the player from Nice leaves the court with her head held high, after a combative and characterful performance against a higher-ranked player.
