Facing Romanian player Jaqueline Cristian, Diane Parry made her entrance at the Open de Rouen. The player from Nice, who has been seeking a first singles victory for six months, came quite close.
Diane Parry was back on the singles court this Tuesday, April 15, 2025, for the first round of the Open de Rouen. Still searching for her first singles victory since her Billie Jean King Cup match last year, the player from Nice faced Romanian Jaqueline Cristian (26 years old, ranked 66th in the world). Jaqueline was in form, having just won a challenger tournament in Mexico.
The start of the match favored the French player. Diane Parry seemed to have regained her form at the beginning of the clay-court season. Morally boosted initially by her two wins last week in the BJKC with Alizé Cornet, who had to withdraw yesterday. Physically, the player from the French Riviera seemed more mobile, despite being previously hindered by her knee injury sustained during the BJKC last year at her last victory.
As a result, Diane Parry became more engaged, and it paid off. She managed to convert her only break point in the first set to lead (3-1). It was encouraging, but without other opportunities, it was tough to maintain the lead. Indeed, the Romanian started finding length in her shots. Very powerful on this rather slow clay surface, Jaqueline Cristian hit hard with her forehand. She provoked errors from Diane Parry and got back into the match. Less comfortable on her serve, the player from Nice resisted as best she could, saving several break points, but eventually yielded at the worst moment on the fifth opportunity for her opponent. Diane Parry lost the first set (6-4).
A risk-taking approach pays off but is insufficient for Diane Parry
After a break before continuing the match, Diane Parry returned with more intention. Playing offensively, the player from the Maritime Alps managed to implement her variety game plan. Although she didn’t create any break opportunities early in the second set, it was clear that the match was becoming more balanced. However, at (3-2), Jaqueline Cristian eventually regained control of the exchanges and forced a break by handling the French player’s sliced backhands. With her back against the wall, Diane Parry unleashed her shots. However, the confidence was at an all-time high on the other side. The Romanian seemed untouchable. The match intensified and seemed like it could turn either way. Pressured in the following game, Jaqueline Cristian showed great resilience on serve, preventing any comeback attempts by the Frenchwoman.
After saving a point to break back, Jaqueline Cristian won in the first round (6-4/6-3). “Encouraging” was the apt term for the defeat, as it often seemed like the player from Nice was capable of coming back in the match. Diane Parry’s first victory on the WTA circuit should be arriving soon!
In the meantime, we should see Fiona Ferro this Wednesday on the court at the Open de Rouen against Jessika Ponchet.