The Round of 32 match between Alizé Cornet of France and P. Badosa Gilbert of Spain in the Abu Dhabi Open 2021 was a ‘surprisingly expected’ one as the world #53 French tennis pro was knocked out by the world #70 Spanish professional.
A match that can be used as a perfect example for passion, power, technique and composure ended up in disappointment for Alizé Cornet as she lost 6-4 and 6-4 in two sets resulting in a match lose for her. Cornet started off well in the match but as moments went, Gilbert took control over the game as her dazzling backhanded returns were too pestering for Cornet as she got bamboozled. In 2014, Cornet became known for defeating world #1 Serena Williams three times.
At the Dubai Tennis Championships, she recorded a straight-set win over Williams in the semifinals, which resulted in Cornet’s reaching her biggest singles final in almost six years. In July, at the Wimbledon Championships, she came back from a set down to upset Williams in the third round, handing the American her earliest exit at the tournament since 2005. Alizé Cornet’s third win came in second round of Wuhan later that year where Serena Williams retired due to illness. Her best WTA singles ranking was #11 back in 2009.
On the other hand, Paula Badosa Gilbert’s career best WTA ranking was #69 back in 2019 and she has got just 7 ITF singles titles for her name. But, she is just 23 years old and is emerging as a young tennis sensation. Paula Badosa Gilbert is even hoped to reach a certain platform in the upcoming years and might be seen clinching the prestigious Grand Slams as she seems promising, specially with her backhands. After defeating Alizé Cornet in the Round of 32, Paula Badosa Gilbert will be facing Veronika Kudermetova of Russia (WTA ranking #46 in singles) in the Round of 16 of Abu Dhabi Open on 10th January.