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

Published 06/18/2021, 10:30 PM EDT

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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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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Written by:

Suchit Halder

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