Auckland (AFP)
Alizé Cornet qualified for the quarter-finals of the Auckland Tournament Wednesday by beating wear and tear (3-6, 6-4, 6-4) the Croatian Petra Martic, 15th in the world, while Caroline Garcia is inclined, two weeks before the Australian Open.
"In the first set I couldn't do it, but I ended up finding my rhythm," said the Frenchwoman, 57th in the world, coached since December by Martic's former mentor, Sandra Zaniewska.
Cornet finished in beauty against the Croatian, seeded N.2 of the New Zealand tournament, with three consecutive aces while she was led 15-30 in the last game.
She will meet the American Jessica Pegula, 82nd world, victorious of the Tamara Zidansek.
Caroline Garcia lost (6-4, 6-4) to another former Top 5 player, the Canadian Eugénie Bouchard.
She went on the other hand in quarters of the double after her victory, with her German teammate Julia Goerges, against Allie Kiick and Erin Routliffe in the super tie-break (4-6, 6-1, 10-8).
© 2020 AFP