After the defeat of Cornet, who led a set to zero and missed two match points in the third set, before yielding in the decisive game 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7/2), her compatriot Océane Dodin was swept away in straight sets by Italian N.1 Camila Giorgi 6-1, 6-2.
The two Italians, however, did not necessarily leave with the favors of the forecasts, counting so far only defeats in their previous confrontations with the French.
Cornet, 34th in the world and quarter-finalist at the Australian Open at the start of the year, also seemed on track to extend the series after easily winning the first round and breaking again at the start of the second set against Paulini.
But the Italian (48th), after a few minutes of leg massage at the end of the first set, found some teeth to inflict a severe 6-1 on the French N.1 and push her into an intense third act .
The two players then surrendered in quick succession.
And it was Alizé Cornet who, after dropping two match points at 5-4, cracked in the deciding game, after 2:22 of the match, guilty of several fatal unforced errors.
Italian Jasmine Paolini, during the Australian Open, January 17, 2022 in Melbourne Paul Crock AFP / Archives
Morale at the zenith after this victorious start for her compatriot, Camila Giorgi immediately outclassed Océane Dodin in just over an hour, taking two service games per set.
Called up to the France team after Caroline Garcia's package, Dodin (94th in the world) never found a solution against the strike force of the Italian N.1 (30th in the world), who appeared well on the pace despite a month and half without competition.
Three points are needed to qualify for the final phase which will bring together twelve nations in November.
The last two singles are scheduled for Saturday from 12:00 p.m. before a possible decisive double in the event of a tie at 2-2.
Cornet will first try to revive Les Bleues against Giorgi, before the scheduled duel between Paolini and Dodin.
© 2022 AFP