Diane Parry has perfectly launched her Beijing tournament during the qualifiers. Despite a hesitant start against Russian Darya Astakhova, the French player quickly found her game again to decisively win (6-2, 6-2). A solid victory that allows her to approach the rest of the competition with confidence.
An Immediate Reaction
For a few minutes, it seemed that Diane Parry was going to fall into a trap set by the Russian. Shaken at the start of her match, the French player conceded her service right away and found herself quickly trailing 0-2. A frustrating scenario that could have undermined her confidence. But on the contrary, this false start worked like an electroshock. More committed on her strokes, more mobile in her movements, Diane Parry regains her tennis and gradually takes back the thread of the match.
At 1-2, she finally scores her first game, then immediately breaks back. The trigger is there: suddenly, her face lights up, her shots become free, and the mechanism kicks in. The Russian player, surprised by this surge in power, suffers in the rallies. The French player strings together six consecutive games and takes the first set 6-2. A turnaround that speaks volumes about her mental resources, as well as her ability to raise her level at the right moment.
A Confirmation of Clear Superiority
Buoyed by the confidence from the first set, Diane Parry did not ease the pressure. On the contrary, she continued her momentum by displaying a total mastery of the exchange. More serene on her serve, more inspired in her tactical choices, the French player dictated the pace of the second set. By varying between long shots at the back of the court and well-executed drop shots, she caught Darya Astakhova off guard, who was too limited to reverse the trend.
Quickly pulling ahead in the score, the French player proceeded without shaking. With an implacable 6-2, she concluded this qualifying match in just over an hour, confirming that she had the weapons to overcome this first Beijing stage.
A Significant Victory
Beyond the mere score, this Beijing success says a lot about Diane Parry’s mindset. Firstly, because she managed to recover from a failed start, a sign of mental solidity, which has sometimes been lacking in the past. Being down 0-2 after conceding her serve at the start did not cause doubt or tension.
This victory especially offers her an ideal launchpad in this Beijing tournament. Qualifiers are always tricky, facing often underestimated but dangerous opponents. By winning with authority (6-2, 6-2), Diane Parry avoided the trap and gained a breath of confidence. She can now turn to the next round with the desire to confirm this impression of solidity.
