A different fate in this second round of the Australian Open as Alizé Cornet fell to Ann Li (6-2, 7-6(6)) while Fiona Ferro showed determination to overcome Elena Rybakina (6-4, 6-4).
The outcome was mixed for the two players from Alpes-Maritimes. In the heat of Melbourne, Alizé Cornet, who started the hostilities of this second round, could not seize her chance to defeat the American Ann Li (6-2, 7-6(6)). A frustrating defeat for the player from Nice, who failed to find the solution as she had in the first round. Shortly after her defeat, Fiona Ferro began her second-round match. It was the outstanding French performance. Facing the Kazakh, Elena Rybakina, Fiona Ferro, consistent throughout the match, was decisive (6-4, 6-4).
Alizé Cornet, a sense of déjà vu
At the end of the match, Alizé Cornet must have had some regrets. It was a match of lost opportunities. The striking quality of her opponent was known, but Cornet had some arguments to make. The beginning was one-sided, as Ann Li took the lead and soared through this first set. Cornet, bewildered and almost in distress in this match due to the overwhelming domination, tried to react. A final break at the end of the first set allowed the American to clinch this crucial first set (6-2).
It took the start of the second set for the French player to find her rhythm again. The player from the south even did better than that; after securing the first game, the break was now in hand. With variety in her play and fighting spirit, the player from Nice led the exchanges. Unfortunately, she fell back into her old habits. When she had the opportunity to lead 4-0, Alizé Cornet saw her opponent catch up. Frustration and annoyance set in, and Cornet threw her remaining energy into a tie-break. Once again confident, Li was outstanding at opportune moments (7-6). Another frustrating match for Cornet – the years go by, but they remain similar.
Ferro, the top student of the day
It’s the good news of the morning! Fiona Ferro will be present for the third round of the Australian Open. As she did at Roland-Garros a few months ago, the French player outplayed Elena Rybakina (6-4, 6-4). A match dominated from start to finish by the French player. Facing the number 17 seed, she didn’t falter in overcoming the tenacious, consistent, and usually pragmatic Kazakh. Rybakina, with 42 unforced errors, could not compete with the game imposed by Ferro. In the first set, the player from the Maritime Alps capitalized on her opponent’s mistakes to secure the break at the right moment (3-3). Using her serve to her advantage, Ferro held on to win the first set.
Capable of the worst as well as the best, it was mostly the worst that the world number 21 showed. Although she took the lead by 5 games to 2, Ferro conceded her serve for the first time in the match, allowing her opponent to catch up. With the insightful advice of her coach, Emmanuel Planque, Ferro, maintaining her composure, made the effort to win the match.
The world number 46, having delivered a fine performance, now looks to the future. In her third-round match of the Grand Slam, she will face young Iga Swiatek, promising a thrilling encounter for the French player.
