Alizé Cornet beaten by Jasmine Paolini, France in difficulty in the Billie Jean King Cup

The Billie Jean King Cup match against Italy got off to a bad start for Julien Benneteau’s players. Responsible for launching Les Bleues, the French n°1 Alizé Cornet lost to the opposing n°2, Jasmine Paolini, in three sets (2-6, 6-1, 7-6 [2]). For her first in the tricolor jersey, Océane Dodin will try to bring the two teams equal against Camila Giorgi this Friday. The French, 34th in the world, however had two opportunities to conclude this match during which the two players had their period of domination. At 5-4, Paolini service in the third set, Cornet gave himself two match points. Each time, she attempted a drop shot, a blow that had been rather successful for her since the start of the meeting. But the first was a bit too long and the second stayed in the net. Dodin to save the day Forced to play a tie-break, the French n°1 made several gross mistakes which finally paved the way for an Italian who had come from afar. Not really settled and perhaps a bit stressed, Paolini (48th) had not existed in a one-way first set in favor of Cornet, excellent in backhand (two breaks on long backhands) and inspired to counter the opposing power. It was then necessary to have imagination to think that two hours later, the Frenchwoman would leave the court in defeat. But she suffered the awakening of Paolini in a second act dominated from start to finish by the Italian. The third was finally balanced but above all tense between two players who wanted to bring this first point to their country. Cornet was the first to break but failed to keep her advantage. She also failed to finish the job and it is now up to Dodin to try to save the blue day by bringing back a point on this first day.