via Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 24, 2022 France’s Alize Cornet reacts during her fourth round match against Romania’s Simona Halep REUTERS/Morgan Sette
via Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 24, 2022 France’s Alize Cornet reacts during her fourth round match against Romania’s Simona Halep REUTERS/Morgan Sette
The second week of the Australian Open 2022 has started with upsets. In the first match of the day at the Rod Laver Arena, Danielle Collins knocked out the 19th seed, Elise Mertens of Belgium. Further, a major upset was caused when the in-form Alize Cornet of France knocked out the former World No. 1 Simona Halep in round 4 in a three-setter thriller 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.
Alize Cornet enters her first Grand Slam quarterfinal in her 63rd major appearance
On her 63rd main draw appearance, the French star is into her first Grand Slam quarterfinal, which is a new record. Cornet also broke the record for most consecutive Grand Slam appearances this year at the Australian Open, which is her 63rd straight slam, beginning from 2007. She was visibly overwhelmed by the amazing achievement as she broke down on the court.
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A new chapter…
On her 63rd main draw appearance, @alizecornet is into her FIRST Grand Slam quarterfinal. The world No.61 upsets Simona Halep 6-4 3-6 6-4.#AusOpen · #AO2022 pic.twitter.com/PwlBeFTPDA
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2022
The Romanian could not sustain the pressure applied by her French opponent as Cornet constantly challenged Halep’s serves. She broke the former World Number 1 thrice in the first set. Halep managed to break Cornet’s serve twice in the first set as she eventually lost the first set 6-4.
via Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 24, 2022 Romania’s Simona Halep in action during her fourth round match against France’s Alize Cornet REUTERS/Morgan Sette
Further, Alize Cornet had an impressive first serve win percentage in the first set as compared to her opponent. Her win percentage on the first serve was 57% as compared to Halep’s 47% in the first set. The Frenchwoman seemed to be very active on the court, winning as many as 6 net points in the first set.
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via Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 24, 2022 France’s Alize Cornet in action during her fourth round match against Romania’s Simona Halep REUTERS/Morgan Sette
The second set turned out to be a see-saw battle. The two players exchanged breaks early on. Both of them tried to apply pressure on the opponent’s serve. This eventually proved to be the deciding factor in the match. However, Halep eventually prevailed in the second set, winning it 6-3.
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The third-set was a closely fought affair. The two players had difficult hold of serves initially. However, Cornet punched a deciding blow when she broke Halep’s serve in the 7th game. The Frenchwoman eventually took the 3rd set 6-4 and entered the quarters of the ‘Happy Slam’.
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