Just 24 hours after her success with Caroline Garcia, Diane Parry was back to play the second round of mixed doubles with Harold Mayot. A match that ended in a super tie-break.
The challenge was too great for the French pair this afternoon, Diane Parry, and Harold Mayot. Facing the top seed of the tournament, the French duo did not disappoint. Indeed, against the world number 2 in doubles, Mate Pavic, and the world number 11, Lyudmyla Kichenok, the chances for our French players were limited. Especially since the Croatian and the Ukrainian have been collaborating since 2017 and have solid experience, including a victory at Wimbledon in 2023. Even though they hadn’t competed together since last year, their instincts came back quickly.
And it was evident right from the start of the match. Diane Parry and Harold Mayot seemed less effective on their serve. Despite an opportunity to break in the first set, it was ultimately the French who faltered and lost the first set (3-6).
In the strong heat of Porte d’Auteuil, the top-seeded duo got tangled up at the start of the second set, completely relaunching the match. More focused, Diane Parry and Harold Mayot seemed to have found their rhythm and managed to break twice to take the second set (6-2).
Everything would be decided in the super tie-break. The first team to 10 points wins. At the start of this deciding game, nobody managed to hold their serve. The tension was high, especially for Lyudmyla Kichenok and Mate Pavic. But with experience, the duo managed to make a difference and gain a decisive advantage. Despite good serves from Diane Parry at the end of the game, the French were defeated in 1 hour and 16 minutes (3-6/6-2/8-10). It was a great run that will undoubtedly leave some regrets. But there’s no time to dwell on it for Diane Parry, who must reunite with her friend Caroline Garcia tomorrow morning for the third round of the women’s doubles tournament.
