Alize Cornet Reacts After Reaching 2nd Week of Australian Open After 13 Years on Her Birthday

Alize Cornet, who was contemplating retirement after her second-round win over Spain’s Garbine Muguruza, has won yet another tough battle to extend her 2022 Australian Open dreams into the second week. She defeated Slovenia’s Tamara Zidansek 4-6, 6-4 6-2, on her 32nd birthday.

Alize Cornet says birthday win is quite special

Currently ranked 61 in the world, Cornet took on 29th seed Zidansek in the Margaret Court Arena, but her performance was far from perfect. Cornet made 39 unforced errors and had to fight back from a set down. She was also trailing 4-1 in the second set before she turned her intensity and game around. Zidansek’s 63 unforced errors proved to be costly for her, causing her the match and a chance at the Happy Slam.

READ MORE: ‘Probably My Last Year’: Alize Cornet Mulling Retirement After Victory Over Garbine Muguruza at Australian Open 2022

In her post-match interview, Cornet said that she found the Australian heat “so brutal” and that her third-round match was all about “surviving on the court.” She also opened up about how being able to proceed to the second week after a long wait of 13 years was also a special milestone.

“Finally, I came back. It was magic win for me,” she said.

In her next match, she will meet Romania’s Simona Halep who seems to be in terrific form after her return from injury. Cornet also spoke about how this win against Zidansek was a great birthday gift for herself and that she really found this one to be special.

“It’s definitely a very, very special victory being back in the second week 13 years after my first second week at the Australian Open. It’s quite special. The day of my birthday, I mean, what else can I ask for?” She added.

Simona Halep is back in old form after quite some time

Former world No. 1 Simona Halep seems to be back to her old self, winning matches ruthlessly for a chance at her third Grand Slam victory. So far, she hasn’t dropped a set in the tournament and now faces Alize Cornet in her fourth round tie.

Currently seeded 14th, Halep won 6-2, 6-1 in just over an hour, to move into the second week. She also said that she was feeling ‘fresh’ and that the “pressure is off.”

“I feel also that I have expectations from myself, but they are good expectations b/c I have worked a lot in the off-season. I have no injuries. That helps me to be in a good spot mentally and also with confidence.” she added during her post-match interview.

Who do you think will win this fourth round encounter? Let us know!