Open GDFSuez – Paris, third round recap
Yesterday was my first day in Paris for the Open GDF Suez, which takes place at Stade Pierre de Coubertin in Paris (same place as the Lagardère Trophy).
The first match allowed me to discover a player I didn’t know:
How come, you didn’t recognize her, really?
During her 3 hours 13 minutes battle against Petra Kvitova, she proved that she can do other things than hit hard from the baseline.
But she also showed why her ranking isn’t better (56, best ranking 39, July 2010): she served twice for the match, wasted several match points and finally lost 4-6 7-6 6-7.
Am I the only one to think Kvitova looks a bit like Mary Pierce (pre-creatine)
Absolutely no suspense in the second match: Yanina Wickmayer destroyed Klara Zakopalova 6-1 6-3.
Black socks are cool (1):
I’ve been impressed by Wickmayer’s powerful serve and groundstrokes but her footwork and her defense could be greatly enhanced.
Jelena Dokic watching the game:
Third match: Mattek-Sands defeats Cohen-Aloro 7-5 6-3.
Mattek-Sands was supposed to play Maria Sharapova, but the former number 1 pulled out of the tournament because she says she is still feeling the effects of a viral illness. Sharapova was replaced by lucky looser Stéphanie Cohen-Aloro, world number 188.
Black socks are cool (2):
Old school Cohen-Aloro: old school clothes, old school playing style but what a joy to see a well executed one-handed backhand. She announced her retirement from the WTA circuit after the match.
Sum-up of this day:
– black socks are cool
– nice to see other brands than the usual adidas and Nike (Mattek: Under Armour, Wickmayer: Erke)
– I like the colors of the court
– it’s nice to play with your phone when the match is boring (something I have in common with Amélie Mauresmo, see below)
Speaking of Amélie Mauresmo who is co-director of this tournament, she was in the stands for the match Cohen-Aloro vs Mateek-Sands.
Other matches played Thursday:
Jelena Dokic defeats Nadia Petrova and will meet Kim Clijsters in quarterfinals, Kaia Kanepi defeats Sofia Arivdsson. next for her: Dominika Cibulkova.
More pics and infos coming next. Sorry but my internet connection really sucks.
