The Nice-born Diane Parry played her round of 16 match this Thursday at the WTA 125 tournament in Makarska. Unfortunately, it was a missed rendezvous for the Frenchwoman, who was defeated in two sets.
After a convincing start against the American Lauren Davis (6-2, 6-4), Diane Parry continued her journey today at the WTA 125 in Makarska, in Croatia. The 22-year-old Frenchwoman, currently ranked 93rd in the world, faced Serbian qualifier Lola Radivojevic (ranked 182nd) in the second round. Lola Radivojevic emerged from a tough first-round match against Croatian Lea Boskovic, winning in three sets. This was the first confrontation between the two young players.
Diane Parry too inconsistent
The match began with an intense battle. Right from the first game, Diane Parry was aggressive on return and earned herself three break points. However, each time, Lola Radivojevic held firm, relying on solid serving and excellent handling of key points. After four deuce points, the Serbian emerged unscathed from this initial test, taking control of the set.
Emboldened by her resistance, she raised her level immediately. Diane Parry, too erratic, made numerous unforced errors, surrendering her serve at the first opportunity offered to her opponent. The Frenchwoman attempted to respond and managed to break back immediately, but the exchange of breaks quickly tilted in favor of the Serbian, who led 3-1, then 4-1 after consolidating her lead on another backhand error from the player from Nice.
At this point, the player from Nice had won only 14 of the 36 points played: too few to hope to establish her game. Yet, a resurgence seemed to be taking shape. Threatened with a double break, she saved an important point to come back to 4-2. Finally freed, she hit several winners and closed the gap to 4-3 after a swift break back.
However, the improvement was short-lived. In a decisive eighth game, Diane Parry faltered again, while the Serbian raised her level to regain her advantage and set herself up for a chance to close out the set. She achieved it with mental fortitude, on a composed service game, to take the first set (6-3).
A too-late resurgence for Diane Parry
The second set started as the first had ended: in confusion for Diane Parry. After a long break between sets, the Frenchwoman couldn’t regain her focus. Threatened right in her first service game, she lost immediately to a double fault, giving Lola Radivojevic the initial break (1-0). The Serbian, very confident, followed up authoritatively and consolidated comfortably (2-0).
Diane Parry tried to hold on in a tightly-contested service game, where she had to save three more break points. She managed to stay alive (2-1), but her opponent continued to dominate, notably thanks to a precise and impactful cross-court backhand that unsettled the Frenchwoman. Lola Radivojevic maintained her lead (3-1), then (4-2) despite improved serving from Diane Parry.
A turning point seemed to emerge at 4-3. For the first time, the player from the Azure Coast really threatened the Serbian on her serve. She earned two break points at 15-40 and equalized at 4-4 thanks to another double fault from her opponent. Freed, Diane Parry then won her service game authoritatively to take the lead 5-4, forcing Lola Radivojevic to serve to stay in the match.
In an extremely competitive tenth game, Diane Parry had a set point… but the Serbian saved it with calmness. This missed opportunity marked a definitive turning point. Following this, Lola Radivojevic raised her level again and won three consecutive games against a Diane Parry who fell back into her inconsistencies. Final score (6-3, 7-5) for the Serbian, who moved on to the quarterfinals without any significant scare.
Some stats
Aces : Diane Parry = 0 / Lola Radivojevic = 3
Double faults : Diane Parry = 5 / Lola Radivojevic = 2
% of 1st serve: Diane Parry = 65% / Lola Radivojevic = 43%
