“A Lot Of Emotion”: Alize Cornet Reflects After Reaching First Ever Grass Court Semifinals at WTA Berlin 2021

Alize Cornet pulls of a stunning upset at the Grass Court Championship in Berlin. The French international beat Garbine Muguruza in the quarterfinals, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6. In another quarterfinal, Belinda Bencic beat Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6. Belinda will meet Cornet in the semifinals of the tournament. 

Garbine played against Alize after nearly four years. As a result of their meeting, Alize bettered her record against the Spaniard. The two players now enjoy a 2-2 head-to-head record. On the other hand, World No12 Belinda, bettered her record against Alexandrova. The Russian was leading 2-1 before today’s encounter.

Alize Cornet vs Ekaterina Alexandrova: A Match to look out for

After setting up a semifinal clash with Belinda, Alize will be looking forward to add a title to her name. The World No60 looks good in her rhythm and will be aiming for a podium finish. “It was a long match with a lot of emotion, especially in the tiebreak. I can’t believe I made it at the end. She’s a champion, she never gives up. I should have gone for a it a bit more, I was waiting for a mistake and I was a bit tight – it’s normal. But I was very resilient too, I was always behind in the score in the third set but I kept grinding, I kept fighting to the end and it’s a really nice victory,” said Alize post her match.

The player had come back from a difficult Roland Garros tournament. She lost out in the first round of the women’s singles event. She also lost out in the second round of the mixed doubles event.

However, she was adamant to have a good grass court season. “I had a really tough clay season, I couldn’t play well and I don’t know why – but to play well on grass, it’s unexpected but beautiful,” said the 31-year old.

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Tie Breaker adds drama in both matches

Both quarterfinal matches ended with a third set tiebreak. Alize had to comeback from a set down against Garbine. The French player rebounded by taking an early 3-0 lead in the second set. She maintained it well, to force a deciding third set. The third set was a tight one, as the former World No1 took a 5-4 lead, to reach match point. Alize was determined enough to save the game and take it to the tiebreak.

Alize Cornet took off to a flying start in the tiebreak, with a 6-1 lead, thanks to Garbine’s unforced errors. Eventually, the 31-year old managed to win 7-5 in the tiebreak.

Belinda and Ekaterina’s match was a roller coaster ride. After a 6-4 win in the first two sets for either players, the third set was a fierce battle. Belinda had revenge on her mind, after the Swiss lost to Ekaterina in Stuttgart in April. Belinda took a two point lead in the tiebreak, and remained in the game with that lead. A series of unforced errors by Ekaterina saw her losing the match.

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