Melbourne (AFP)
The French Caroline Garcia, seeded N.12, beat on Tuesday in Melbourne the Hungarian Timea Babos (6-4, 6-4) in the second round of the Gipssland Trophy, one of the WTA tournaments which serves as preparation for the Open d 'Australia.
In the next round, she will meet the Belgian Elise Mertens, seeded N.7.
In the same tournament, her compatriot Alizé Cornet, 53rd in the world, was eliminated (6-2, 6-2) by the Japanese Naomi Osaka, No. 3 in the world, who made a convincing return for her first match since her success. at the US Open last September.
On the men's side, Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA) defeated the American Maxime Cressy (6-7 (2/7), 7-6 (7/2), 7-5) in the first round of the Grand Ocean Road Open, ATP tournament also played in Melbourne before the Australian Open which will start on Monday February 8.
Herbert, current 84th in the world, will be opposed in the second round to Australian Jordan Thompson, seeded N.11.
In the Murray River Open table, another preparation tournament played in Melbourne, Gilles Simon, 64th in the world, eliminated on Tuesday for his entry into contention the Swede Elias Ymer (6-4, 6-4).
In the next round, the 36-year-old Frenchman will meet his compatriot Jérémy Chardy, N.64 in the ATP ranking.
© 2021 AFP