The French tennis team was playing its quarter-final of the Billie Jean King Cup. Alizé Cornet, who was scheduled for singles, couldn’t keep up with the pace. Diane Parry will play her doubles match for honor.
On this new day of the Billie Jean King Cup, France was up against Belgium. A very tight duel when one compares the rankings of the French and Belgian players. While it was expected that Diane Parry or Caroline Garcia would play the first singles of the day, Julien Benneteau surprised everyone. The French team coach decided to place his trust in Alizé Cornet! A choice that will surely be talked about since the 35-year-old from Nice has just come out of retirement and did not seem to be at her best physically. Proof of this was her withdrawal ten days ago during the Bisbal d’Empordà tournament.
Currently ranked 460th in the world, Alizé Cornet was thus pitted at the start of the day against a young Belgian unknown to the general public, Jeline Vadromme (17 years old, world no. 758). On paper, Alizé Cornet’s experience should have made the difference. However, the player from the maritime Alps quickly showed signs of fatigue. Apparently affected in the right triceps (she is right-handed: Ed.), the French player was never able to raise her level of play. Alizé Cornet, despite her usual tenacity, found herself unable to continue at (3-3) in the first set as the pain grew stronger. Despite intervention from the physiotherapist, Alizé Cornet had to concede the first set (6-3).
The rest of the match proved to be equally challenging. Forced to use underarm serves several times, Alizé Cornet could no longer truly perform on the court. Trailing at (5-1) in the second set, a glimmer of hope appeared when the young Belgian began to tense up and squander her chances to close out the match. Despite an opportunity to come back to 5-4, Alizé Cornet ultimately had to yield (6-3/6-3) in just over an hour and a half of play.
Diane Parry’s doubles canceled
This defeat complicated the plans for the French team. Everything came down to a duel between the Belgian number 1, Greet Minnen, and the French number, Varvara Gratcheva. Unfortunately for the French team, the tricolor was defeated in three sets. Belgium leads (2-0), and hopes for playoff qualification are dashed.
The last scheduled doubles match between Greet Minnen and Magali Kempen against Caroline Garcia and Diane Parry did not take place. France will remain in group 1 of the Billie Jean King Cup next season.