Mathilde Johansson, who had never passed a single round at the GDF SUEZ Open in Cagnes-sur-Mer, made quick work of Croatian player Mirjana Lucic-Baroni to reach the quarter-finals. Maryna Zanevska, 2013 finalist, Timea Bacsinszky, and Sachia Vickery did the same.
The players in action this Wednesday had to struggle against an unexpected opponent: the wind, which was gusting across the courts of the Parc des Sports Pierre Sauvaigo in Cagnes-sur-Mer.
In the match between Mathilde JOHANSSON and Mirjana LUCIC-BARONI, it was the French player who managed this element better by finding the mental strength to adapt her game. Troubled by the flying clay and random ball trajectories, the Croatian did not offer strong resistance (6-3 6-2). Mathilde JOHANSSON is now in the quarter-finals, having spent less than 2 hours on the courts, despite never having passed the first round in this tournament before.
She will face Maryna ZANEVSKA, the unfortunate finalist of the previous edition, who dispatched Sofia ARVIDSSON, who had beaten Pauline PARMENTIER in the first round, in straight sets 6-1 6-2.
Two other players qualified for the quarter-finals: Timea BACSINSZKY (SUI), former world No. 37, who defeated Aleksandra WOZNIAK (CAN), and Sachia VICKERY (USA), a qualifier who overcame Alexandra PANOVA (RUS).
Earlier in the morning, Sharon FICHMAN (CAN) secured the last spot for the second round by beating 2012 winner Yulia PUTINTSEVA (KAZ).
